Published on Tuesday 24 October 2023
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council is celebrating the achievements of care leavers during National Care Leavers Week, a campaign aiming to recognise the profound impact care leavers have in our local communities.
The initiative will also help to identify some of the false stereotypes and other significant challenges people in care face on their journey to building a bright future.
Organised by Become, a national charity which works alongside care leavers to help make improvements to the care system, the campaign will run from 25 October to 1 November this year.
People will be encouraged to ‘CARE’ throughout the weekby Celebrating care leavers, Amplifying their voices, Raising awareness of the challenges they face and Encouraging change in policy and practice.
You can stay updated with interesting content, updates and events throughout the week via BCP Council’s social media channels.
One event, the STAR awards on 4 November, will help to close the initiative by celebrating some of the outstanding successes and achievements of care-experienced residents across the region.
Ivy, a care leaver who resides in Bournemouth, said:
"I think National Care Leavers Week is a really positive event which helps more people to understand the support we need to succeed, as well as some of the challenges we face."
Whilst local authorities have a responsibility to act as corporate parents for young people who have been in their care under the Children’s Act 1989, BCP Council does not see this as simply a legal requirement.
It wants to make sure that its young people truly know they are cared for as part of an extended family and will be supported up to the age of 25 and beyond, helping them to shape a positive future.
Young people could require care for several different reasons, such as: their family are in crisis, they or their parent suffer from a severe disability, or they are at risk of abuse or neglect.
Last year, a reported 82,000 children were being cared for by local authorities in the UK.
One myth the initiative aims to bust is the false stereotype that only those who are behaviourally challenged and regularly fall foul of the law are raised in care.
Councillor Burton, Portfolio Holder for Children and Young People at BCP Council, said:
"Children’s social care remains one of our top priorities. Young people are our future and it is our responsibility as their corporate parent to ensure they are set up to achieve and fulfill their potential.
"I have been so impressed with the achievements of our care experienced young people, many of whom have already gone on to achieve great things.
"We are committed to providing our young people with the best possible support and care, so that they can get off to a positive start in life."
Sara Scholey, Director for Children and Young People at BCP Council, added:
"National Care Leavers Week is a chance for us to celebrate some of our many successes, as well as learn what we could be doing better so that we can continue to develop our services.
"I welcome any feedback from people who have worked in, been through or are currently in care. I am eager to hear your views and learn about your journey so that we can continue to deliver a positive experience."
In 2021, BCP Council listened to and worked alongside care leavers to build the 333 Care Leavers Hub in Bournemouth.
The facility is a safe space for care leavers to visit and relax that is focused around wellbeing and learning, helping to teach people practical skills ranging from cooking to budgeting.
Last year, it earned the National Leaving Care Benchmarking Forum’s ‘Best Project of the Year’ award, recognising its outstanding contribution to care leavers across the BCP area.
Editor’s Notes:
Click the link to learn more about Children’s Social Care and to give feedback or complain - Complain or give feedback about children services (bcpcouncil.gov.uk)
Learn more about Become - Home Page - Become (becomecharity.org.uk)
Learn more about the Children’s Act 1989 - Children Act 1989 (legislation.gov.uk)
Visit National Leaving Care Benchmarking Forum’s’ website - National Leaving Care Benchmarking Forum | Catch22 (catch-22.org.uk)