The group met for a day during the recent school holidays. There was a packed agenda and lots of visitors asking for their opinions.
Matthew Brazier, head of Children in Care Service was the first visitor. He discussed the pledge and how it needs to be measurable so Trafford can check it is doing what is promises. Also discussed was the recent questionnaire sent to children and young people in care. A big issue from this was young people having trouble getting hold of social workers. Matthew said he would get a list of social workers numbers on the CYPS website and have a 'duty' phone number and email address. Matthew invited members to the next CIC team away day as the last visit was very successful. Matthew would also like a link between members and the corporate parenting group who meet four times a year and are very senior managers and councillors in Trafford.
Julie Jones, the new recruitment officer for the fostering team was next to visit. She answered questions on how Trafford recruits foster carers. She showed members some adverts for foster carers and asked for their opinions on the pictures of young people. One suggestion was to show two pictures with two pictures showing good times and more difficult times! It was agreed that members would help to train new foster carers and would help when they try to recruit new foster carers. Members suggested that foster carers should start off doing respite care to see how they got on. Also they would like a choice of placement rather than being told this is where they are going. They would like as much information about the placement as possible.
Members then worked with Gorse Hill staff to interview each other about being in care and the care council. Some of the interviews will go on the website and other stuff can be used for training etc.
After lunch at KFC members discussed a new leaflet for children and young people when they first come into care. We are going to produce a simple concertina style leaflet with basic information about rights and then put more stuff on the website.
Grace McCorkle would like members to help design new leaflets about housing. Grace explained different housing options available to young people in aftercare.
Derrick Dickinson would like some help with making sure that young people understand that aftercare services are much more limited than being in care. He explained that there is less money available and much more responsibility on the young person. Members are to think about ways of doing this effectively.
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