Young people from LINX/CLF (Lancashire's Children in Care Council/Care Leavers Forum)
To receive an update on what the Participation Team have been doing with LINX/CLF (Lancashire's Children in Care Council/Care Leavers Forum) since the last Board meeting.
Minutes:
Young people from Lancashire's Children in Care Council (LINX) and the Care Leavers Forum (CLF) updated the Board on what they had been involved with since the last meeting of the Board in November 2024.
A comms review regarding requests for young people
The Care Leavers Forum (CLF) and Children in Care Council (LINX) reminded the Board that they were happy to be consulted when it comes to topics that affect them. In the past three/four months, the young people reported that they have received over 20 requests for involvement which included interviewing Independent Reviewing Officers, planning and delivering at a virtual school event, development days and staff members attending group sessions.
Young people reported that whilst it is important to have their voices heard, they had seen a rise in ad-hoc requests and the complexity of some projects that were being asked of them to be involved with, and this is leaving them with no time to create their own projects or socialise and chat with their friends.
The Comms Review is being looked at by the Participation, Engagement and Co-Production (PEC) Group and Clare Smith and Lisa Harvey-Nebil are helping young people to make sure that the requests being made of them are meaningful and will have an impact. Staff members from Children's Social Care will be asked to complete a request form, stating why young people's involvement is needed, the timeframe and the impact. The request will then be reviewed by the Participation Team who will clarify and discuss with staff what exactly it is they are requesting of young people before the final stage, which is to present the request to the young people to see if they wish to be involved and go ahead with the request. Once agreed, the Participation Team will meet with the requestor(s) to plan how and when meetings take place and make further arrangements.
The Board noted that requests for the Children in Care Council (LINX) and the Care Leavers Forum (CLF) are overseen by the Participation, Engagement and Co-Production (PEC) Group within the Permanence Service, Lancashire County Council monthly, to keep a track of the type of requests being asked of young people and to challenge and maintain quality in this area.
Young people hoped that the review will help them with the number of requests being asked of them and to also give them chance to properly plan and execute their ideas instead of rushing, finishing and then moving onto the next project.
PROUD Awards 2025
The Board noted that the PROUD Awards will be taking place at Preston North End Football Club on 30 January 2025 and that some members of the Children in Care Council (LINX) and the Care Leavers Forum (CLF) had been nominated, with some progressing further as finalists and had been invited to the event.
Following on from last year's success when young people compered the event, they have been asked to do it again this year and are currently in the process of writing a script and are looking forward to the event. As well as hosting, young people will also be presenting prizes alongside the High Sheriff of Lancashire, County Councillors and Senior members of staff from Lancashire County Council.
Christmas Dinner
The Care Leavers Forum all enjoyed a Christmas dinner get together following a year of participation and having their voices heard across different services and partnerships. The Board also noted that members of the Children in Care Council also enjoyed a get together too. Both groups felt that this was a nice way to end the year.
Resolved: That the young people were thanked for their presentation.