Minutes:
Billie-Leigh and Luke explained that under the Equality Act 2010 some characteristics are protected, therefore it is against the law to discriminate against a person because of these characteristics which include age, disability, pregnancy and religion. There are increasing moves for care experience to be recognised as a protected characteristic and Billie Leigh and Luke provided examples of local authorities throughout the country that have agreed to make care experience a protected characteristic. The young people of the Children in Care Council would therefore like Durham County Council to consider adopting care experience as a protected characteristic.
The Head of Children’s Social Care requested that she and the Practice Lead for Children and Young People meet with the young people to discuss the processes which would be required to have the proposal formally considered by the Council.
Members spoke in support of the proposal and highlighted the good work done by the young people to bring the matter to the Panel’s attention.
The Project Manager for Investing in Children commented that Luke and Billie-Leigh are shining examples of how committed the young people are and he encouraged members to attend the Care Day event on 18 February, as they will meet many more young people who share the same passion and who are planning some exciting activities for the day.