Council seeks to support care experienced children and young people

A report calling for the council to support children and young people in care by treating ‘care experience’ as if it was a protected characteristic - in a similar way as ethnicity or age – will be discussed at a meeting later this week (Executive, 14 November).

The proposal follows a wealth of national evidence that shows care experienced young people often face discrimination and stigma across many aspects of their lives including housing, health, education, relationships, employment and in the criminal justice system.

Care experienced young people carried out their own research and discussed the proposal with the council’s Corporate Parenting Board earlier this year.

By treating care experience as if it were a protected characteristic, the council hopes it would:

• reduce the discrimination and bias faced by care experienced young people
• improve life outcomes 

• create greater awareness of care leavers’ needs and encourage acceptance and support
• empower care experienced people to challenge when they encounter barriers and to encourage them to pursue their goals.

To date over 100 local authorities have so far agreed to treat care experience as a locally protected characteristic, recognising the disadvantage and stigma faced by those with care experience.

If approved, the move would further build on steps the council has taken to strengthen young people’s voice and influence in how it works as Corporate Parents. This includes developing a model of care experienced ‘Corporate Parenting Advisors’ to help young people have a voice and be heard.

Martin Kelly OBE, Corporate Director of Children, Young People, City of York Council, said:

“As Corporate Parent to all the children and young people in our care, as well as all those who have left our care, it is our responsibility to care and protect them, just as any parent would. This proposal not only reflects the views of our children and young people in care, but will also help us, and the wider city, to continue to support them throughout their lives.

“One of the ways in which we can give young people the best start in life is to look after them well. In this respect I would like to thank all of our amazing foster carers in the city and encourage others to come forward so the whole city can wrap around our young people who need our support.

“If you’re interested in becoming a foster carer call 01904 555678 or email foster4york@york.gov.uk for more information.”