Friday, 18 July 2014
Monday, 3 March 2014
2014 update!
We have been having some technical hitches so sorry that we havent wished everyone a 'happy new year' sooner but that doesn't mean we haven't been working hard behind the scenes!
Our Christmas Winter Wonderland event was great. Over 200 people attended and nearly 100 were childrens and young people in care (Santa came too)
We have met with the Local Government Association and the Department of Education.
We have had a number of meetings and we attended a national conference for Children in Care Councils.
We are busy recruiting, recruiting and RECRUITING! so if you are in Birmingham's care or you know someone who is and would be great representing other children and young peoples voices ask them to get in touch for more information 0121 303 7217
Friday, 22 November 2013
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!!!
; )
Thursday, 7 November 2013
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
Friday, 16 August 2013
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?!
Thursday, 15 August 2013
Friday, 9 August 2013
Tuesday, 6 August 2013
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.
Monday, 5 August 2013
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!
Tuesday, 16 July 2013
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!
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!!!!!!
Friday, 12 July 2013
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!!!
Thursday, 11 July 2013
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!!!
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