Participation and engagement

Have your say!  

We welcome you feedback and want you to be involved in improving our services to you.

We want you to engage in your pathway planning as this an opportunity to express the support you might need, and we may not have thought of.

We also have other options that we would love you to be involved in, if you are not already.

Children in Care Council

The Children in Care Council called R: Vue,  it is a forum for children and young people in care to have a say on the issues that matter to them and to be heard by senior managers.

We welcome Care Leavers and want them to be a part of the council as young leaders called Care Ambassadors. They help and encourage children at the Council to discuss improvements to the services and support that all West Berkshires children and young people in care receive.

 As a Care Ambassador you also attend meetings with professionals and senior managers like the Corporate Parenting Panel to advocate for children and young people in care and express your views to senior managers.

The Children in Care Council meet once a month.

To find out more speak to your PA or contact Debbie Mitchell at Deborah.Mitchell@westberks.gov.uk

Clubs/Activities

Community Club - Community Club is a monthly group that is accessible for separated young people young people as well as young people in care and care leavers aged 16 -25. The aim of the group is for participants to gain new skills and develop a sense of community and belonging. They do a range of activities like sports and fitness, cooking, music and drumming workshops to name a few. There are senior leaders who act as interpreters and mentors for new young people who can support you in the community as there is a range of different nationalities who attend.

Summer celebration event

Every summer there is an event where we have food and activities. It is a chance for care leavers to get together to socialise, have fun, catch up with friends and make new ones! In the past we have had BBQs, a climbing wall and fun fitness activities. We always welcome care leavers to help us plan and organise this as well.

Summer Activities

Every summer we offer some days out. It could be a day out to the beach, a theme park or a lido. It's always great to get new ideas so if you would like to help plan them and get involved in next summer's activities, we always welcome your ideas.

Mother and baby group

This is a monthly group for our care leavers and care experienced people with children. The group decide where they want to go each time e.g. it could be a soft play or a café with a play area. It's a chance to meet other mums and babies/toddlers, share experiences, get peer support, make new friends and just have a catch up! Each year the group also have a day out in the summer. Some examples of these are Marwell Zoo, Southsea beach and Wellington Country Park.

Total Respect

Total Respect is a West Berkshire training course that is delivered by children in care and care leavers! You will be trained on how to deliver the course and in small groups you will then deliver the training to staff, like social workers who work at West Berkshire Council. Would you like to become a trainer for West Berkshire Council?

The course teaches Council staff how to involve young people in their daily practice to make sure their voice is heard. The course also includes the following:

• Encourages Council staff to think about the assumptions that are made about young people in care.
• Allows Council staff to understand the experiences of young people in care who use their service (get them to walk in the young people's shoes)
• Gives the Council staff time to think about young people as individuals (not as cases/numbers).

Reverse Mentoring

We are in the process of implementing a Reverse mentoring scheme, and looking to recruit care experienced young people to act as mentors to senior leaders.

Full training and support will be provided, you will be reimbursed for travel expenses and paid for your time.

The role of a mentor will involve.

• Meeting on a regularly basis with a designated senior leader to share your lived experiences.
• Be involved in other participation and consultations groups to listen to other young people and share their views wishes and feelings with senior leaders.  
• Make suggestions for positive change and shape future projects with your senior leader and corporate parents.  
• Promote the mentoring role, help recruit and train new mentors.

Your Voice

We send out surveys to hear your views on the support you receive and ways to improve our service and offer to you.

This survey is available for you to complete any time via the link below.

https://eu.surveymonkey.com/r/care-leavers-feedback

If you are interested in becoming involved in any of the above, or have ideas for us, please speak to your personal advisor or contact Debbie Mitchell at Deborah.mitchell@westberks.gov.uk.