What's the campaign about?

The Don't Write Us Off campaign is all about changing people's perceptions of young people in care and getting rid of unfair stereotypes. We don't think it's fair that young people in care are treated differently to anyone else.

 Kevani speaking about her involvement in the campaign
 

These are the things that the young people running the campaign want all members of the public to understand about life in care...

  1. Young people in care are individuals. Even though there are some bad statistics about young people in care, there are loads of success stories too.
  2. There's a lack of understanding about the reasons why young people are in care - it is not the young people's fault.
  3. The system doesn’t do enough to support young people in care and care leavers.
  4. Care isn't always a bad thing, for some young people it can be a positive experience. 

However, we also know that there are lots of things within the care system that need to change. The young people involved in the campaign have started a list of the things that they would like to see changed to improve the lives of young people in care - have a look through and add your own ideas using the form at the bottom of this page.

How to improve the care system:

  1. Boroughs should come together and CELEBRATE successes – with prizes like trips or experiences.
  2. Give young people 50 pounds for every GCSE.
  3. Provide laptops for all students in care.
  4. Bring people from the society and young people in care together by organising fun days for the community.
  5. Social workers should spend more time out of their offices with young people.
  6. Make sure that young people can measure success in different ways - not everyone will do well in exams.
  7. The government needs to change the way we're shown by the media.
  8. Educate society about being in care and what it's like.
  9. Create a documentary about young people in care and social services from young person’s view.
  10. Have MPs see (undercover) what social services are really like.
  11. Give young people in care the opportunity to travel to and learn about other countries (less well off than their own) with their social workers to give them perspective.
  12. Train volunteers/charities/social workers to help young people get a better perspective on their lives. 
  13. Teach young people essential skills like cooking lessons.
  14. Make sure that young people meet their workers in on neutral ground at a time and environment which they are comfortable with. 
  15. MPs should make young persons panels for social worker interviews compulsory. 
  16. Encourage young people to work on their strengths and follow their interests with the support of their social worker. 
  17. Show the other side instead of the bad side of children in care; know that there is a reason behind each individual; they should not be treated as the same.
  18. Create a feeling of a family.
  19. Carers need to get better support and follow up from social services.
  20. Make sure that being in care is kept confidential in school to avoid being treated differently.
  21. Have professionals publicise events dedicated to helping young people in care. 
  22. MPs should promote recruiting good foster carers and social workers.
  23. Local councils should do more poster campaigns to help with foster carer recruitment. 
  24. Make total respect essential (young people training social workers)
  25. MPs should ensure less tax for companies that help young people in care. 
  26. Make fewer cuts to services for children in care.
  27. Establish free education up to 25.
  28. Local councils should ensure work experience for young people in care. 
  29. Make all professional’s contracts long term.
  30. Give all professionals more training to broaden their knowledge about being in care. 
  31. Provide peer mentoring.

Comments

  1. Jenni says:

    I think we should get free education up to when were 25.rn

  2. Kris says:

    Councils make sure that they find you work experience so you can get a job

  3. Amy says:

    I think that social workers should have to stay in their job for longer

  4. Raspal, 21 says:

    No one knows anything about bein in care and what its like. they should get more training so that they now waht were going through.

  5. Matt says:

    I was in care and now I do peer mentoring, I think it's really good andeveryone should get it

  6. crystal says:

    I am in a care home but i am really enjoying it but i think they should be a little more strict with me and the other young persons in my home so they can't get away with anything no more
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