There are numerous opportunities for participation, training, development and to make positive change that will help other young people.
For all participation enquiries, please contact Nathesha Ashbourne (Participation Coordinator) on Nathesha.Ashbourne@lbhf.gov.uk
Children in Care Council
The Children in Care Council is for every child and young person who have experience of being in care in H&F. The group of young people aged 11 - 18 aim to represent the voice of all young people across care services, to raise concerns or ideas about how to improve services.
The group meet regularly, participate in consultations, and research and deliver events to young people in care to gather their views and raise their voice.
In the past this group co-designed the New Pathway plan and Preparations to Independent Living Skill Toolkit, making both documents more accessible to young people so they can understand their rights more easily. CICC are members of the Youth Voice and work together with the Youth Council on a number of projects.
Young people are rewarded for their contributions and we have one reward session per year such as an agreed activity/ or outing.
CICC meet once a month with the Participation Coordinator, normally on Wednesdays and currently online from 5pm – 6pm, after school hours and during school holidays.
Junior Children in Care Council
There is a CICC Juniors group for children in care aged 5 - 10 years. The CICC Juniors meet in the school holidays and has an open membership.
The group attend activities together such as London Zoo, Musicals at the Theatre, and the Science Museum. Activities are promoted in the foster carers newsletter, at foster carer support groups, by Virtual School teachers, social workers, LAC Assist and via our website.
Care Leavers Advisory Group
The group of young people and adults aged 16-25 who have experience of being a care leaver in Hammersmith and Fulham. These young people give a clearer representation of the challenges faced by the care leaver population.
The Care Leavers Advisory Group ensures that services specifically related to the transition to adulthood and independence can be further developed to improve these experiences. The group ensures care leavers are involved in the development of improvement plans that impact on the service they receive. They also review project proposals and policies by Hammersmith and Fulham and partner organisations that deliver services for care leavers.
Project groups may be established for work undertaken outside of the annual action plan. This could include things such as planning the Annual Achievement Award, creating a website and developing a newsletter. The voice of Care leavers, act as champion for other care leavers and make links with other areas of the council such as CAMHS, Youth Service and Managers forum. The Care Leavers Advisory Group is open to all care leavers over the age of 18 and may include adults who have now been closed to care services. The Care Leavers Advisory Group meet once a month, at times that best suit the needs of the group members. They are supported by the Participation Coordinator.
New members can be referred to the Participation Coordinator via the young person directly or by the social worker or other professional.
Corporate Parenting Board Panel
The Children in Care Council (CICC) and Care Leavers are members of the Corporate Parenting Board Panel. The important issues raised by the CICC during each monthly meeting will be shared with Corporate Parenting Panel. Recurring issues and scope for project work will be coordinated by the Participation Coordinator in direct collaboration with the views of the young people.
Working with elected members, councillors and other senior managers, the CICC and Care Leavers provide vital insight and contributions to the board. These are quarterly meetings throughout the year (during school holidays).
H&F Young Inspectors
Quality assurance of our semi-independent provision
H&F Young Inspectors are young people aged 16-25. They are selected through an interview process and are involved in designing and conducting each inspection. Once a team of Young Inspectors is selected, young people get support and training to help them in their role of inspecting services.
There is plenty of opportunity for self-development such as learning new skills, teamwork, organisation, communication and listening. Young Inspectors help make sure that young people's views and opinions are heard on the services they use.
H&F Young Interviewers
Quality assurance of our semi-independent provision
The CICC and Care Leavers are regularly involved in the recruitment of new members of staff. Over the past two years this includes the recruitment of Director of Children Services, Operational Director of Children Services and frontline staff.
H&F Young Interviewers work alongside a panel of young people as part of the recruitment - mix of care leavers and non-care leavers. The young interviews have the opportunity to learn new interview techniques, build confidence and teamwork.
Contact details for all participation enquiries
For all participation enquiries, please contact Nathesha Ashbourne (Participation Coordinator) on Nathesha.Ashbourne@lbhf.gov.uk