G2K winter wonderland. 23rd December 12 o'clock.

We would love to see you at our winter wonderland event! If you are in Birmingham's care or a care leaver come and visit us at the lighthouse on the 23rd of December. 

Lovely Christmas food, fun activities, people to chat to, other children and young people and get the chance to sign up to our Children in Care Council  (and possibly a visit from a man in red?)

Letters going out next week or ring 3037217 to book your place! Places limited.

Social Workers! Why don't you arrange to meet a young person at ours? We would love your support and in return you can fill your boots with coffee and mince pies!

More information is on it's way but don't delay, book today!!!

 ; )

corporate parenting pledge.

YOUR PLEDGE AND ENTITLEMENTS!

  Birmingham's Local Authority pledge promises children in its care it will:

• nInvolve you in decisions that affect you and listen to your views
• nWe will endeavour to find you the best possible place for you to live
• nMake sure that you have every opportunity possible to achieve best at school
• nEncourage you to take part in all available opportunities that the City has to offer to ensure your talents, hobbies and interests are met and to support you to do the things you enjoy
• nTo take care of your health and encourage you to be healthy.
• nTo provide you with a good and clear assessment of your needs and an up to date care plan.
• nThat you will have your own social worker who visits you regularly and gives you details about how to contact them or someone else if they are away when you needthem
• nHelp you stay in touch with your family, friends and other people who are important to you.
• nWe will listen to what you say
• nWe will work with you and give you all the help and support you need to successfully move from care to adult life.
• nBirmingham City Council – Birmingham’s Corporate Parenting Pledge (January 2013)

Your Reviews, useful? Interesting? Informative? Waste of time?

We would really like you to tell us how involved you are in YOUR reviews.

Do you attend, do you speak lots? Do you chair your own review? (Did you know that you can?!)

Would you like to be able to attend and contribute more?

Let us know and we can ask Rights and Participation service to support you.

303 7217 and ask to speak to an Advocate. 

Saturday 16th November @l Lighthouse, Birmingham.

Are you aged 11 and over and in Birmingham's care? Any budding drama people out there? 

We would love to invite you to our event at 11am. It's an opportunity to talk to us about the positives in your life, things you might like to change and have some fun using drama. If drama isn't your thing don't worry, you don't need to take part, you could just support the others and meet new people. This event will kick start a potential drama project so if it is your thing get involved as soon as possible and shape it into something you'll enjoy. This is one of several arts based activities we can offer but are keen to do all sorts of different things but we need to hear from you!

Remember to book in!  3037217 You should have received a letter in the post. If you are a social worker reading this, firstly thank you! And secondly please encourage your young people and share our blog with your colleagues.

Young people help appoint 3 new Assistant Directors!

Young People have taken part in two different interview panels recently and interviewed eight potential new senior managers, for Tom one of our apprentices this was a new experience but one he seemed to enjoy.

‘I felt nervous at first because I didn’t know any of the other young people who I was going be sitting with but after like 20 minutes I felt better because we all joined in and gave our best. It’s not easy sitting in front of people you don’t know I asked if the other two young people could go first because they have done it before so I could get an idea of what I was going to be asking them. I really do think that young people should be involved because its jobs regarding young people and we know what young people would want and we know what we would want from whoever is going to be having the job! So yes I think young people should get more involved in the interviews in the future’

Tom B

G2K update

Massive thank you to everyone that helped make Thursday such a success. Lots of people said our best one so far!

Updates and quotes from children and young people next week. 

But just wanted to thank everyone that came! 

Hope you had fun?! 

Excellent Link!

http://www.thewhocarestrust.org.uk/

G2K 2013. Thursday.

Are you coming???

will you be there?

We hope so!

Are you coming? Have you been invited?

If you are in Birminghams care and haven't been invited to our summer event then something has gone wrong! You are invited! But you need to book in as places limited!

Why?  Because its going to be awesome!

Have your say, discuss,  debate, take part! Special discussion for young people at uni or looking to go, photography workshop, football session, dance workshop with special guest! Arts and craft sessions, music sessions, talent show, free entrance, free food....all ages 1 to 19. Something for all.
11am August 15th The Lighthouse. 

cicc meets minister

Today we travelled to Wolverhampton and discussed 'entitlements' with other children in care councils and Craig Whittaker MP who leads on issues nationally for children in care. Interesting discussions but sad to hear lots of young people still confused around their entitlements. We will be posting some entitlements that Birmingham young people need to be aware of later this week.

G2K 2013 THURSDAY 15TH AUGUST - special guest Nathan from dance group Antiks.

We can't wait! Meet Nathan and spend the day with him and get ready to perform! 

Launch of 'new' Children in Care Teams

Some of the CiCC will be at tomorrows event and Fridays. We hope to raise our profile AND work more closely with Social Workers. Hope its useful....its an early start!

Follow UKYP too!!!!!

http://brumsukyp.blogspot.co.uk/

G2K 2013 'listening to children and young people'

Letters are going out as we speak to Birmingham children in care to invite them to our annual summer event. This year it will be held at RAPs new home 'The Lighthouse' in Aston. It will run all day and we will have an interactive market place and lots of opportunities for children and young people to take part in a range of activities (lots of creative art projects and sporty sessions planned) We also have some surprise mystery celebrity guests!

If you work with children in care please ask them about this event and have they booked in? If you would like to have a stall or are interested in visiting let us know ASAP. We want to make sure as many children and young people from Birmingham know about this. 

No excuses, 

Get promoting!!! 

August Thursday 15th 2013. 

Alisha.

Hola! I'm Alisha, I've been a member of the Children In Care Council for nearly 5 years now, starting as an adolescent 13years old, and now reaching 18, In some ways I don't feel a day older! it feels  like Rights and Participation have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember! its become something that I keep in the back of my mind when doing anything in my day to day life now. I am a musician by trade...hint hint. Available for hire. Remember to follow us...we need you!!!!!! 

Save the date!

The 15th of August will be great!

if you are a young person in care or an organisation that wants to speak to children and young people in care then this might interest you! You need to follow this blog and email us for more information.... Don't miss out!!! 

Introducing an exec member of CiCC

Hello!

My name is Nat and I am part of CiCC. CiCC is one way I can help get my voice and other young people in care voice heard : ) I like meeting new people when we attend events, going to different meetings with the heads of stuff and the councillors within Birmingham. I like to give my views about issues raised and I like to hear Alisha sing! (Another CiCC person) there isn't anything I don't like, if there was I would tell you and we would get it sorted! X

So what do children REALLY think?

Saturday at The Vibe

We met with five children on Saturday that came to The Vibe and told us about their experiences in care. All the children were excited and happy to be part of an important discussion and agreed they would like their views shared on our blog for other children, young people, professionals and carers to see.

So what did we ask and what did we hear?

The five children we spoke to felt that their social workers listen to them and involve them in decisions that affect them. 

We asked if they felt social workers found them happy places to live?

All the children were happy now but 3 of the children (siblings) have had five different places to live and really hoped this last place would be for a long time! 

" I like my carer, I get proper food and a choice" 

"I like my home, my carer looks after me"

We asked the children if they liked school and did they try their 'best' and are they supported?

All the children like school, especially sport! 

"I get my spellings right now"

"My school is cool"

We wanted find out what the children did for fun, so do they hobbies and special interests?

The children all had extra clubs and special interest activities and all liked playing on their bikes and scooters. One young woman missed out on school trip because she didn't have a passport, I didn't get sorted and she still doesn't. She felt sad to miss out on a school trip.

We asked if the children felt fit and healthy, we asked them what that means and how they keep healthy. 

All of the children felt healthy and gave lots of examples, one young man could see the difference and talked about feeling healthier now he was with his carer because he is looked after properly.

We asked the children if they attend their care reviews and would they like to?

Only one child said yes but all the children would like to attend or be asked to attend. 

"I don't want to miss school but I want to come"

Most would like it at their carers home, one child said at the social workers office.

We asked if they were happy with the contact arrangements with their families?

Some had regular contact, some didn't but they were not always sure why.

All the children said they could talk to an adult in their life and could names that adult. All the children said they sometimes feel a little left out at times. One young woman said she is sometimes bullied at school because she is in care but her teachers tells the other children off and she is happy with that.

We will be doing more visits and weekend events, please please promote if you ate a social worker. We enjoyed Saturday and all these comments help us understand what other children think and feel.

Please share our blog!!!

CiCC talk to 8 -12 year olds.

We spent last Saturday at The Vibe Youth Centre in Acocks Green talking to 5 children in care aged between 8 and 12 (and one family friend age 12) Massive thank you to those children, their carers and the one social worker that came to support (Angela...thank you!)

We were disappointed that we only had a small group as we wrote to nearly 300 social workers and carers however the five children (and our extra helper) were very chatty and gave us lots to think about. We are hoping they (with other young children) might become a sub group of CiCC and help us understand what younger children think and feel about being in care.

Please share our blog with colleagues and promote to children and young people. You can enter your email to get updates.

Quotes from children taking part on Saturday to follow! 

residential care.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>If you missed Panorama last night on residential care and out of authority placements, it&#39;s on iPlayer: <a href="http://t.co/2MaZ7JOF8l">http://t.co/2MaZ7JOF8l</a></p>&mdash; The Who Cares? Trust (@WhoCaresTrust) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhoCaresTrust/statuses/349464543770054656">June 25, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

how I feel

Being in Care.

I miss being at home, my family, brothers and sisters, even though it was hard living at home. 

In care you get to see a different way of living.

Having a social worker who listens and does not judge you or your life style is important. 

One that does not speak down to you or make you feel worse than you already feel.  

One that may not agree with your life style but a least tries to recognise and understand that the choice you make are because they are the only ones that you no.

One that does not treat you as a child today making all the decisions for you then puts you down because you are not able to do the adult things they expect you to do.

Kiera 16

dates for your diary!

Get Involved with the Rights & Participation Service and CiCC

RAP Arts

Last Year the Rights & Participation Service ran a successful project for Children in Care that was funded by Gallery 37.  This involved a range of arts based activities and long term projects, including the possibility of participants earning a Bronze Arts Award.

This year we are hoping to repeat this, which means that we should have lots of opportunities for Children and Young People to get involved throughout the year and into 2014.

G2K Event

Every year the RAP team host a fun consultation event, and this year is no exception.  Since we have moved to a new home at the Lighthouse Children and Young Person’s Centre, the event will be taking place there, in a state of the art building with a gym, theatre and plenty of room for socialising.

This years G2K will be taking place on August 15^th.  You should receive more information in the coming weeks about this.  Last years event was a total success, and only because of the Young People and their Carers that attend.  We would love to share with you another successful G2K event in 2013.

CICC and Other groups/Activities

There is always something happening!  We run a regular group for Children and Young People in Care called the Children in Care Council and are always looking for new members to join the fortnightly sessions.

We will be running programs throughout the summer, particularly with a focus on the Performing Arts.  So if you have any singers, dancers or rappers please let us know and we will arrange for the appropriate information to be sent out to you.

For information on any of the above, or for general enquiries about the service please call:

0121 303 7217

Young People Quotes

Quotes:  from young people in care, and care leavers.

Sarah age 23

I was in care from the age of 9, until I was turned 16. I was moved from Foster placement to foster placement so many times, that by year 9, it was pointless attending any school, as I was moved from Birmingham, to Nottingham, Derby and Stoke on Trent, before ending up in the worst  Children’s Home in Birmingham. By the time I left care, to live in a semi- independent hostel, I had no opportunity to attend school, and the education provided at the home, was useless, and the only punishment that we had for not doing it, was not be allowed out until 3:30 on School days, as there were 6 of us placed there, and only one at school, this didn’t bother us.

When I left care, and tried to get a job, I would go alright until they asked what exams I achieved at School. I had to tell them that that I had not been to school since year 9. They always realised then, that I had been in care, and I never managed to get a job. While I lived at Shaftsbury House, and then there independent placement, I had to attend courses, and managed to get some qualifications. I wanted to be a plumber, and started on a course run by Connexions, but I wasn’t strong enough to do a lot of the jobs required, so had to leave. I have a job as a cleaner now, but I think that being in care has left a stigma. A lot of other kids who were in care with me have had similar experiences, and it definitely leaves its mark on you.

Mark aged 17

I was in care from 5 years old. In that time, I have had about twenty moves, from Foster care to Children’s home, then several Foster Carers, 3 Children’s Homes and secure.  I had God knows how many social workers in that time. I never felt loved, or even cared about. I wasn’t really cared for either.  Every time I got settled, the social workers moved me again, so in the end, I tried to break down every placement before I could settle. I was expected to be a problem child, so I became a problem child. I still feel the same now, and I think it’s what is expected of me. One social worker told me that I would end up in Prison, and I think that I will end up that way if I can’t get a job, or a good college course.

Clare aged 16

While I have some good memories of being in care, I have a lot more bad ones. When I first went into care, I was only young so I didn’t know what was going on. Then social services signed me off at the age of 5, and didn’t get involved again until I was 13. I’ve had 3 social workers in the space of 3 years. Two of my social workers didn’t really help, especially when I was getting bullied by one of my peers in my placement, both before I was pregnant and after. The staff at the placement didn’t help either, apart from two of them.

what do children and young people say about being in care?

Being in Care has shown me how much my family mean to me.

Birmingham City Council staff have been very helpful and are trying their best to help me!

Being in care is really really fun.

BCC Staff have been very kind and really great, except for my last Social Worker,

who never listened to me!

Social Workers should be nice, positive, get things done, keep you informed and first of all they should introduce themselves to your Parents. 

A good Social Worker makes me feel safe.

A bad Social Worker makes me think oh no why have I got this Social Worker.

Social Workers would be better if they came and saw you more often and didn't change so often.  A Social Worker should be caring, listen to your views, be honest, have good communication skills, respect other people's feelings, and be professional.  When I have a good Social Worker I want to hang around with them and I don't get bored.

The Children in Care Council (CICC) is a place where young people in care can have their say on issues that matter to them, and can make sure that they are heard by the people who make decisions.

Got something you want to say?

Birmingham’s Children in Care Council want to hear from you!
The number of children on the council is quite low compared to the number of children that are in care, or leaving care. We try really hard to make sure that we put on events around the City and one big event every summer so that we get to meet lots of children and young people in care. We want to try and cover as many issues that effect children and young people in care and to do that we need to hear what you think!
We have events all year round and we want you to ask your social worker or ring us to find out more! You can also just get in touch and just come and meet us.

What we can’t do.

We can't get involved in very detailed issues so if you want to see your siblings because it’s your sister’s birthday next week we would struggle to help you but we would encourage you to speak to an advocate from the Rights and Participation Service (RAP)
If you think that every child in care should get every chance to see their siblings on their birthday then that’s a broad issue and we will be able to help with this!
Why is it important to get involved?
Because you experience being in care and no one else experiences it the same as you. Children and Young people have RIGHTS and you can’t make sure you have them if you don’t know about them! Work with CICC to help us help YOU!

Rights and Participation service support CICC.

RAP aims to OPTIMISE and EMPOWER children and young people’s involvement in both strategic and local decisions that affect their lives. We challenge and champion children and young people’s rights to ensure that when decisions are made they are involved consulted and listened to.

IF you want to know more about CICC or advocacy (for children in care, care leavers or children subject to child protection plans) please ring.

0121 303 7217

YOUR PLEDGE AND ENTITLEMENTS!

  Birmingham's Local Authority pledge promises children in its care it will:

• nInvolve you in decisions that affect you and listen to your views
• nWe will endeavour to find you the best possible place for you to live
• nMake sure that you have every opportunity possible to achieve best at school
• nEncourage you to take part in all available opportunities that the City has to offer to ensure your talents, hobbies and interests are met and to support you to do the things you enjoy
• nTo take care of your health and encourage you to be healthy.
• nTo provide you with a good and clear assessment of your needs and an up to date care plan.
• nThat you will have your own social worker who visits you regularly and gives you details about how to contact them or someone else if they are away when you need them
• nHelp you stay in touch with your family, friends and other people who are important to you.
• nWe will listen to what you say
• nWe will work with you and give you all the help and support you need to successfully move from care to adult life.
• nBirmingham City Council – Birmingham’s Corporate Parenting Pledge (January 2013)