Agenda item

The Panel welcomed Robert Johnson, Project Manager from Investing in Children and Chloe and Mitchell from the Children in Care Council who provided the following update on their work during the month (for copy of presentation see file).

Chloe informed the Panel that she successfully completed the peer mentor training and she is now the first Children in Care Council peer mentor. She spoke of how she had met the young person she is mentoring whilst they were taking part in an activity day and she said how pleased she is that they are gradually getting to know each other and how she is enjoying helping her peer through being there for support, whenever she is needed.

Mitchell provided details of the art café which helps young people to develop their creative talents, with a focus on wellbeing.  The young people are also continuing their work to challenge stigma, break barriers and increase opportunities for looked after young people and care leavers.  Initiatives such as the ‘Proud Moments’ Corporate Parenting Panel agenda item and the ‘Celebrate Me’ awards contribute towards raising the profile. In addition elected members will be asked at each meeting how they are contributing to this.

The Panel heard that funding was secured which enabled the young people of the Children in Care Council to work with partners including Durham County Council to deliver fifty boxes of summer packs to families throughout the county over the summer. This work has resulted in a nomination for a national award.  

The Investing in Children Project Manager praised Chloe on becoming the first peer mentor adding that the feedback has been very positive and he hopes there will be many more peer mentors like Chloe in the future.  He also highlighted how keen the young people are to give back to the community following the COVID-19, which led to their successful joint work carried out on the summer pack project.

The Panel commended Chloe for her selflessness with her peer-mentor work and the Vice-Chair asked Chloe if she had felt any anxiety at the prospect of taking on the role.

Chloe responded that she had felt nervous about the training day, however, although it was a long day, she felt the training had prepared her well and taught her how to provide friendly support to her peers.

In answer to a question from the Panel about the work to challenge stigma, Mitchell explained the work that had been done to improve the use of language to ensure it is children and young people friendly.  He added that group discussions take place regularly to develop ideas to challenge stigma. The Vice-Chair encouraged the Children in Care Council representatives to continue their good engagement with the Panel and pledged to provide assistance and support to the young people with their suggestions for improvements.

In thanking Chloe for her peer mentor work, Councillor Coult commented that it was heartening to observe from her presentation that she is not only a peer mentor but she has also formed a bond and become a friend to the young person she is mentoring. Adding her support for the peer mentoring scheme, Councillor Coult expressed how important the simple act of talking and sharing experiences is for young people. The Project Manager confirmed there are plans to progress the peer mentoring scheme next year.

The Chair thanked the Project Manager for all the work he carried out to support the young people, to which he replied that it is very much a team effort.

Concluding the item, the Senior Partnerships Officer reminded the Panel that the joint meeting with the Children in Care Council will be held at 5.30 pm on Tuesday 19 October at the Sjovell Centre. Those intending to attend were asked to let the Senior Partnerships Officer know in advance in order for the appropriate COVID-19 risk assessment to be undertaken.