YOUNG people from across North Ayrshire with experience of the care system have shared their experiences at a first-of-its-kind meeting of the area's Joint Cabinet.
The event was the first 'Promise Joint Cabinet' meeting organised by North Ayrshire Council (NAC) specifically for care-experienced young people.
Care experience includes children and young people who are or were cared for by family members with the support of social workers; by foster carers; or children and young people who are or were cared for within children’s houses.
With themed conversation cafes and lively debates, the session gave young people the opportunity to have a direct say to local policy makers on how the local authority operates in all matters concerning their care.
NAC's young people’s champion, Cllr Chloe Robertson, said: “Thank you to all of our young people who participated in our first-ever Promise Joint Cabinet meeting.
"I am immensely proud of the young people who spoke openly, frankly and with courage at this important, landmark meeting.
“Special thanks also to our youth services and corporate parenting teams, Modern Apprentices and the health and social care partnership for hosting the event.
"I hope our young people got out of it as much as we did and feel a renewed sense of hope and reassurance that the council is doing everything possible to ensure that every care experienced child or young person grows up loved, safe and respected no matter what.”
Councillor Shaun Macaulay, NAC's cabinet member for education and young people, said on the day: “North Ayrshire Council is one of only two local authorities in Scotland to operate a bi-annual Joint Cabinet meeting for young people living across our six localities and we are proud to now have our first-ever Promise Cabinet.
“We are already providing tutoring, mentoring and health and wellbeing support at school and encouraging the young people to get involved in sports, community groups and exciting expeditions in their free time.
“Our housing team can also help them to housing team to access housing and the welfare support, however we understand there is still room for improvement.
“North Ayrshire Council is committed to ensuring that we remove any barriers faced by young people in our care.
"As corporate parents, providing a safe space to discuss key issues and hearing directly from our young people who have experience of the care system is crucial if we are to make the changes needed and that’s why it was so important that they were given a voice today.”
The conversation café facilitators used a digital platform to input all of the feedback given there and then, freeing every young person up to have the chance to speak directly and openly with the elected members and senior managers.
Those who preferred to observe or young people who wanted to remain anonymous also had the option of sharing their feedback digitally via a QR code, ensuring everyone was relaxed, comfortable and supported on the day.
Before the event, care experienced young people from across North Ayrshire highlighted the issues of most importance to them, and these were the themes discussed on Tuesday.
Care experienced young people who were unable to make the event – or did not wish to attend – were also engaged remotely to share anything they wanted to discuss too.
The important feedback and areas for improvement identified today will be shared as part of the Youth Joint Cabinet Report – coming later this year.
Councillor Margaret Johnson, NAC's cabinet member for health and social care, commented: “The core aim of this unique Joint Cabinet meeting was to identify and drive forward the further work of necessary change demanded by Scotland’s Independent Care Review – The Promise.
“It was all about giving our care experienced young people a seat at the table to have candid conversations, free from stigma and really was a profound reminder to our young people of the power that their voices can hold.
“It is just one of the many examples of how the Health and Social Care Partnership is working directly with young people and our network of community partners to support shifts in policy, practice and culture so that North Ayrshire can #KeepThePromise it has made to the are experienced infants, children, young people, adults and their families.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here