Participation and having your voice heard
Your views, ideas and experiences are important. We want you to help shape services, support and opportunities for care-experienced young people.
We can help you:
- Have your voice heard.
- Take part in decisions about your future.
- Join groups and activities.
- Build confidence and friendships.
- Learn new skills and gain experience.
- Celebrate your achievements.
Help Improve Services
You can share your views through:
- Surveys.
- Workshops.
- Consultation events.
- Engagement activities.
Become a Care Leaver Champion
Care Leaver Champions represent the views of care-experienced young people at the Corporate Parenting Board. This helps make sure that young people’s voices influence important decisions about services, support and opportunities.
You do not need any experience to get involved. We will provide training and support to help you build your confidence, develop skills and feel comfortable sharing your views and experiences.
Our Participation Lead will support you to attend meetings, prepare what you would like to say and make sure your voice is heard.
If you would like to find out more about becoming a Care Leaver Champion, please contact:
Leah Hickson
Telephone number 07717714203
Care Experienced Council - Have Your Say
The Care Experienced Council is for care-experienced young people aged 16 to 25. It is your opportunity to have your voice heard, share your ideas and help improve services and support for other care-experienced young people.
You can talk about what is working well, what could be better, and the changes you would like to see in Stoke-on-Trent.
When and Where
The Care Experienced Council takes place on the last Wednesday of every month from 5.30pm to 7.30pm.
Bentilee Neighbourhood Centre
231 Dawlish Drive
Stoke-on-Trent
ST2 0EU
- Telephone number 07717714203
Why Get Involved
By joining the Care Experienced Council, you can:
- Influence services and support for care-experienced young people.
- Share your views and experiences.
- Meet other care-experienced young people.
- Build confidence and develop new skills.
- Help make positive changes for yourself and others.
Share Your Experience and Make a Difference
Care-experienced young people have played an important role in helping us improve services across Stoke-on-Trent.
Young people have helped to:
- Deliver training to newly qualified and experienced social workers.
- Share their experiences to help social workers better understand what life is really like for care-experienced young people.
- Support training for staff from other council departments and partner organisations.
- Take part in staff interviews, helping us recruit people who understand and value the experiences of care-experienced young people.
You do not need any previous experience to get involved. We will provide training, guidance and support to help you feel confident sharing your views, taking part in interviews or speaking at training events.
Recognising Your Time
We value the time, skills and experience you bring.
If you take part in training, interviews and participation events we will provide vouchers to recognise your contribution and thank you for helping us improve services for care-experienced young people.
We Will Help You Get There
We want to make it as easy as possible for you to get involved.
If you have a free travel pass, you can use it to attend the Care Experienced Council and other participation activities. If you are a care-experienced young person aged 21 to 25, we can support you with travel costs so that getting there does not become a barrier.
Your Personal Adviser can also help you access any other support you may need to take part.
We want every care-experienced young person to have the opportunity to get involved, have their voice heard and influence the things that matter to them.
Independent Advocacy - What Is an Advocate?
An advocate is an independent person who can help make sure your voice is heard.
They are separate from Children's Services and the Next Steps Service, which means they are there to represent your views, wishes and feelings.
When Might I Want an Advocate?
You can ask for an advocate if:
- You feel your views are not being listened to.
- You want support at a meeting.
- You disagree with a decision that has been made about you.
- You need help understanding your rights.
- You want to make a complaint.
- You are worried about a service you are receiving.
- You find it difficult to speak up for yourself.
- You want someone independent to support you.
How Can an Advocate Help?
An advocate can:
- Help you express your views and wishes.
- Support you to understand your rights.
- Attend meetings with you.
- Help you challenge decisions.
- Support you to make a complaint.
- Make sure professionals listen to what is important to you.
- Help you understand your options and make informed choices.
Your Personal Adviser can make a referral to the Change Grow Live Advocacy Service or you can contact them through, Change Grow Live Advocacy Service
https://stokecommunitydirectory.co.uk/directory/listing/change-grow-live/
Stay Connected
You can find out about opportunities, events and activities through:
- Our Care Leavers Newsletter.
- Facebook.
Your Personal Adviser can also tell you about opportunities and help you get involved.
Getting Involved in Your Community
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
We Value You
We want every care-experienced young person to feel respected, included and valued.
We understand that everyone is different, with their own identity, culture, beliefs, experiences and goals for the future.