Minutes:
Dechaun Malcolm, children’s rights and participation officer and chair of SpeakerBox presented the following to committee:
SpeakerBox mission and purpose
· Empowering, upskilling and equipping our Children and Young People (C&YP) with the tools to self-advocate whilst amplifying the voices of all our care experienced C&YP. Doing this was in partnership with the Virtual School.
Engagement: From April to June 2023
· There were 316 episodes where C&YP engaged or participated with SpeakerBox during the last quarter.
· This was 120.9% increase from the previous year (April – June 2022) where 143 episodes were recorded.
Engagement Methods
Developing and delivering training
· Delivered mental health training to – Assisted and Supported Year in Employment (AYSE)
· Developing own ‘Total Respect’ training
· Supporting skills to Fostering.
Attending training Workshops
· Mentoring Programme for care leavers
· Let’s Talk About Racism.
Attending events/programme
· ‘I Belong Here’ (Fostering Animation film Launch)
· Creative Collective
· Bowling and Crazy Golf.
Recruitment
· Recruitment for the Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) Team
· Leaving Care Team Manager.
Consultations
· Reviewing the National Care Standards with DfE
· Review of independent visitor (IV) advocacy services
· Mediation service (as part of the complaints process).
Campaigning
· I Am .. Campaign Launch Event (April)
Additional Support Offer
A safe and non-judgemental space where YP can be themselves, whilst feeling heard and supported.
· Advice, information and signposting (connecting)
· Advocacy
· Emotional support
· Accessing case files.
Last Quarter (April – June 2023)
SpeakerBox Juniors Re-established
· The Virtual School had partially funded the second Children Rights Officer (Ekta Gupa) for the next year. This enabled them to extend the SpeakerBox’s reach. As a result the under 12s group was formerly re-established during the half term week in May where 19 children attended the SpeakerBox bowling event. This would be the start of regular groups – of where under 12s, would have a safe space to be together whilst helping to shape service delivery.
Train to be a mentor
· In June, nine care leavers signed up to SpeakerBox’s mentor training programme. Care leavers will develop coaching skills to support Southwark’s senior leaders.
· Once they complete their training they would be matched with a senior leader, and help shape services.
Stepping up with the Step-Up Programme
Two of SpeakerBox’s most experienced panel members (care leavers) supported Greenwich Council with their Step Up to Social Work Programme.
Two of the care leavers facilitated training to 15 other young people, (including Lewisham and Greenwich young people) and prepared them for recruiting prospective students. 11 of the young people left the workshop up-skilled and ready to recruit from Southwark’s workforce.
Hole in One
SpeakerBox Seniors participated in Crazy Golf during the May half-term as a reward for their hard work in campaigning. One of Southwark’s trainee mentors (care leaver) supported the group.
Positive Outcomes for Children and Young people (C&YP)
During the last quarter, SpeakerBox provided opportunities, which resulted in the following:
· SpeakerBox extended its reach and influence external to Southwark council
· C&YP being with others with shared experiences (particularly the under 12s)
· Young people developed and acquired new skills
· C&YP begun making new positive friendships.
Young people:
· Felt more confident to self-advocate
· Had improved understanding of their rights
· Experienced improved emotional well-being
· Had improved aspirations and career paths.
Looking ahead and next quarter
“With an extended team, speakerbox plan to do more, reach more and empower more of our children and young people”
· Revamping Child Protection Conference rooms with SpeakerBox artwork and photography
· Planning the next Care Celebration event (November 2023)
· Improved engagement with under represented groups, (unaccompanied asylum seeking children (UASC), special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), young people in custody and the under 12s)
· Rebrand and develop their website to extend SpeakerBox’s reach
· Relaunching first SpeakerBox magazine in four years, and first ever SpeakerBox digest
· Launch of Southwark’s total respect training titled “Bridging the gap” October 2023
· Planning the first residential (in a very long time).
Following the presentation the chair said it was important for the committee to work together and set priorities for children and young people by way of a focus group. SpeakerBox agreed to focus more on outreach work to target young people with disabilities and those with additional needs.
The following points were highlighted at the meeting
· Wellbeing for young people coming out of COVID-19 covid pandemic – because a large number of children are not getting the help they need
· During COVID-19 – a number of young people moved out of the care system. The council needed to look into this further
· SpeakerBox HQ – provide support to other people like health services and other groups which seem over stretched
· To find ways to signpost young people and carers to the services they need
· Support for young people is not as prominent because of the cost of living crisis and a number of community groups have reached their limit
· Young people not being aware of SpeakerBox – finding ways to provide that connection
· Suggestion from the chair – was to provide a balance sheet on what was available post covid - example; access to dental services
· PAs (personal advisors) work better with young people - (addressing their needs and hobbies) because information was channelled across to young people – SpeakerBox would like to relaunch their magazine to extend their reach
· Headquarters for young people: There was still ongoing discussion about Talfourd Place, creating spaces for young people. It was still a working progress and aid to be moving in the right direction
· Celebrating work young people had achieved and focus should be to connect and support rather than sign-posting
· Event on Saturday 29 July from 12 noon until 4pm at Kingswood House. This event was happening at the request of young people. Members of the corporate parenting committee were encouraged to join this summer cook-out and email Dechaun.Malcolm@southwark.gov.uk to confirm their participation.
The director of children and families thanked the young people present for their aspirations.