Agenda item

Billie-Leigh and Luke delivered the presentation on CiCC activity since the last Panel meeting (for copy of presentation see file of minutes). 

During the period, the young people had participated in the interviews for social work trainees which had received very positive feedback from the candidates and the young people reported that the experience had helped them to understand the motivation for a career in social work.

The young people had also led foster carer training, supported the plans for the second Mockingbird fostering initiative and they have also started to plan for the ‘Celebrate Me’ awards.

As previously reported, on 6 July, a group of young people attended and presented at the ADCS conference in Manchester and it is hoped that a film from the day will be available to share with the Panel at a future meeting.

The Panel heard the results of the survey carried out to capture young people’s views on savings and life-skills.  A total of 40 responses were received, with the average age of respondents being 16 years of age. The survey highlighted that the majority of respondents felt that children and young people should be supported to save money and almost 75% of respondents had been supported to save money whilst in care. Almost a third of those surveyed felt that young people should be responsible for their finances.  A high proportion of young people were of the opinion that young people should be supported with life skills, including financial management, employment, cookery skills, mental and personal health and resilience building.  In summary, the survey demonstrated that young people value savings and life skills and they would like to see different approaches, to encourage all young people to manage their finances and provide support with life-skills.

The Chair remarked that the response rate was relatively low, compared with the number of children and young people looked after and she asked how widely the survey was circulated. The young people explained that the survey was shared with foster carers and children’s homes and included those young people looked after outside County Durham, however the survey may not have been relevant for younger age groups.  Members pointed out that, as the average age of respondents was 16 years, it was likely that the responses will have been a true reflection of their views, as opposed to being influenced by their carers / social workers.

Designated Nurse for Children in Care, Sarah Neale, spoke of a piece of work with young people and Young People’s Advisers to gather information on levels of satisfaction with regard to primary care services.

Councillor Deinali congratulated the work, pointed out that the percentage of responses was good and she asked regarding the next steps.  Luke replied that the plans include arranging a meeting with foster carers and social workers to share learning and discuss different approaches on how to support young people with savings and life skills, in structured and measured ways. Councillor Deinali suggested that links could be made with the Fun and Food initiative.

Referring to the discussion at the last meeting, the Practice Lead agreed to follow up the request from the Panel to see the artwork produced by the young person who featured in the ‘Proud Moments’ item.