NEWS
Trust welcomes The Children & Young Person’s Bill
July 2008
The Who Cares? Trust is delighted with the recommendations and requirements detailed in The Children and Young Person’s Bill 2008 which encapsulates commitments enshrined in the White Paper, Care Matters: Time for Change. The Bill passed from the Lords to the Commons on Tuesday 25 March 2008.
We are particularly encouraged to see the provision of a designated teacher for children and young people in care in every school being made a statutory requirement. We are of the firm belief, as are young people themselves, that a well supported and positive educational experience is the key to a fulfilled and successful life. Children and young people in care have an equal right to be given opportunities to realise their aspirations and for those around them to have high expectations of their abilities.
Equally encouraging is the emphasis being placed on the importance of stability of placement, particularly with minimum disruption to education and a concentration on provision close to a child’s home. Children and young people in care are crying out for consistency of care and a place they can feel settled in.
Through our magazines, websites and direct consultation with children and young people in care, The Who Cares? Trust is constantly seeking, listening to and responding to the voices of young people. We are therefore delighted to see this as a key theme within the Bill.
The Who Cares? Trust understands the multiple and complex needs of children and young people in care. Due to the family problems (including abuse and neglect) that led to them going into care, as well as their experiences of the care system itself, young people in care have a high incidence of mental ill health. Many may need therapeutic intervention to help them come to terms with what they have been through, and with lack of self-esteem and aspiration. That is why we would have liked more detail in the Bill about the importance of enhancing the emotional and mental wellbeing of these young people. Alongside education, good physical and mental health and wellbeing are key ingredients in the pathway to success and fulfillment for children and young people in care.
Click here for an overview of the Bill
New Chief Executive for The Who Cares? Trust
June 2008
The Who Cares? Trust has a new Chief Executive, Natasha Finlayson, who took up post on June 3rd.
Formerly Director of Communications and Policy for six years with ChildLine, Natasha has 18 years’ experience in the voluntary sector. She has worked as a consultant for a range of charities and for the Charity Commission, and most recently worked as Communications Director for a health charity established by Prince Charles.
Robin Douglas, Chair of Trustees with The Who Cares? Trust, said:
“We’re delighted to have Natasha leading the Trust into the next stage of its development. Susanna Cheal did a marvellous job of establishing the Trust as a passionate campaigning voice for children in care and provider of supportive resources for them and their carers.
Now, Natasha and the team will build on this heritage, working to ensure that children in care have positive experiences of the care system and every chance to fulfil their potential.
Natasha’s experience with ChildLine will be invaluable in helping us to ensure that children and young people’s experiences, rights and views are reflected in policy development and implementation."
Natasha said:
"It’s a great privilege to take over an organisation that already has such a strong reputation and is trusted both by young people and those who make policy on their behalf.
The team have enormous expertise in developing materials to help children in care navigate their often complicated lives and are passionately committed to improving the life outcomes of young people in care.
I look forward to helping extend the support it offers these young people and to relaying their voices and views to decision makers."
Your APG - Newsletter of The Associate Parliamentary Group for looked after children and care leavers
June 2008
Your APG*, a tri annual newsletter launched in Summer 2007, gives information on issues being discussed at APG meetings.
The newsletter also features a speakers’ corner in which a young person is voicing a particular view they feel strongly. Material for this corner can be sent to the editor, Mark Tobin**, at: mark.tobin@thewhocarestrust.org.uk
The Who Cares? Trust is the Secretariat for the APG, which is chaired by David Kidney MP. The themed meetings are an opportunity for young people in and leaving the care system to voice their views on issues important to them.
APG meetings are held at 5pm on the third Wednesday of alternate months. The next meeting is on 15 October 2008 at the Boothroyd Room, Portcullis House, Westminster, London. For further information, please contact: tina.sollis@thewhocarestrust.org.uk
*Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader
**Mark Tobin is the editor of The Who Cares? Trust’s popular magazines for young people in care: Who Cares? for 13 – 18 year olds and KLiC! for younger readers.