Minutes:
Ekta Gupta and members of Speakerbox provided the committee with a presentation of key activities and events as follows:
Residential community engagement
A residential opportunity provided to young people to cover various themes relating to conflict resolution, mental health and developing trust.
A young person talked about the opportunity provided to build a bond with officers and develop trust within this residential setting and take these lessons forward.
Care two Dance
An initiative that enabled development of confidence and experience of working with others. It was explained that the dance helped overcome anxiety and develop trust with others. The experience of dance provides an opportunity to provide ‘freedom’ and see others in a different light. Helped to learn about self and for the young people to know that they are not alone, providing an opportunity for shared experiences.
Podcast
Two-day workshop to promote key information tackling young people and their needs. Provides a chance to develop new skills and another platform to show young peoples views and feelings to social workers and those that work with young people.
Staff newsletter
A quarterly newsletter to:
1. Inspire and motivate staff on what young people need from the services
2. Empower young people by giving them a platform to be heard and
3. Bring back hope and positivity by creating shared goals with staff.
A young contributor of the newsletter read a moving and powerful piece about the “pressures of being a good black man”.
The impact of these contributions provides an insightful and far-reaching impact on the staff that work with young people and has received positive feedback so far.
Moving forward
Discussion of engagement, life skills and employment opportunities.
In particular issues relating to pathways and the support required to assist young people into work (preparing and capability to go straight into employment) was an identified concern on being prepared adequately for this challenge and demands.
Life skills opportunities
Expressed the importance of learning basic skills like doing laundry, cooking and finance.
Points raised in discussion
· The issue of apprenticeships and guaranteed interviews
· Joy Edwards talked about the Catch 22 project and NHS money to enable access to job in health (in all aspects of employment) to care leavers and provide a bridge to help access into work
· Employment and the need to do more
· Housing and Councillor Sarah King explained the process currently being undertaken to consult on the housing allocation policy and planned change from the numbering of bands to letters to make things more understandable. It was made clear that care leavers would get the highest priority. Explained that the new policy was still in draft and Speakerbox will be included as part of the consultation
· Councillor Sarah King suggested joint working with Councillor Batteson as the relevant cabinet lead for employment in conjunction with the chief executive and to develop this joint working on employment and housing
· Noted care leaver and housing protocol due to be considered at the next corporate parenting committee
· Issue of career advice given to young people queried. For example, certain careers will have an established pathway and the direction and understanding for young people (for example to be a lawyer). Young people present agreed that it was important to have a pathway ‘plan’
· Issue of networking raised and the importance. Noted that young people should also regards officers as part of their network
· Young person raised the cost of dance classes and was given an assurance that money would be found to ensure could happen
· Elaine Reid agreed to look into the point raised on life skills and raising through the hubs.
ACTIONS:
That Councillors Sarah King and John Batteson in conjunction with the chief executive be invited to attend the next committee in view of the points made in respect of housing and employment, with a view to develop this joint working.