Minutes:
The Panel received an update on the work done throughout the service to ensure the language used in speech and writing can be understood by children and young people. The Panel noted the ‘Language that Cares’ document is undergoing a refresh with the help of young people and the revised document will be shared with the Panel in due course. The use of plain English is also encouraged through workforce development and ClearCut communication training.
The Service Improvement Manager spoke of how the messages from the young people are respected by partners and health colleagues and she spoke of a recent Children in Care Council meeting which was attended by two health professionals who were keen to gather the young people’s views, to inform the language used in health reviews. The Service Improvement Manager highlighted the increase in requests from young people wishing to access their case files and spoke of the stark contrast in the language used in historical files, some of which would be regarded as inappropriate in contemporary times. Members heard that work had taken place with young people to improve their understanding of accessing their records and the matter had also been addressed in training for social workers, to encourage them to be mindful of language used and the impact this may have on those reading their case notes in years to come. The Service Improvement Manager commented on how she was pleased to see practitioners were writing with insight and compassion, for example, in the form of a letter to the young person.
The Service Manager for Children and Young People described the circumstances of a young person who was extremely apprehensive about moving from their children’s home into adult provision. The young person had kept a daily diary which included details of a heart warming conversation between the young person and their key worker.
The diary entry spoke directly to the young person’s level of understanding, using language which showed empathy to reassure the young person that they would be fully supported on their journey into adulthood.
The Head of the Virtual School explained that all Virtual School staff are required to use the ClearCut tool to assess each young person’s level of understanding and establish whether a child requires specialist support from other agencies. Members heard that the Virtual School works closely with the Children in Care Council and representatives from the Children in Care Council attended a designated teacher network meeting and led a group entitled ‘We are no different’, with their views being fedback to all teaching staff. The young people had also been engaged to help to improve their understanding of personal education plans and had been involved in the production of the Children Looked After Policy.
The Panel formed groups and discussed the use of the words ‘bossy’, ‘demanding’, ‘oppositional’ and talkative and considered alternative words that could be used in order to take a more positive, supportive approach.