FtSE Member News: TACT - What young people think and why it’s important to us

We are delighted to share the results of our latest survey of young people in the care of TACT Foster Carers across England, Scotland and Wales.

What young people think…and why it’s important to us brings to life how positively young people in TACT placements feel about the care they receive, their relationships with their foster carers, and their aspirations for the future.

Listening to and valuing young people’s views and ideas not only helps us to deliver better fostering services and campaign more effectively; it also helps young people to reach their full potential.

TACT CEO, Andy Elvin, celebrates the release of our survey: ‘For us, listening to the voices of the young people we work with isn’t just an add-on or done to tick an inspection checkbox; it is an ethos that influences the staff we choose to work with us, the way we recruit and support foster carers, and the opportunities we offer to young people in TACT care.’

The survey

We interviewed 84 young people (aged 9-18) across TACT face-to-face to find out what they think on themed issues such as:

• Belonging – what young people feel about belonging and the difference it makes
  
  
• Being heard and expressing opinions – what it means to young people when adults listen to them
  
  
• Boundaries – why young people value support, encouragement and rules for living
  
  
• Managing adolescence – the issues that matter to young people and how well they feel they are being managed
  
  
• Care as a positive place to be – what makes TACT carers and services special

Key Findings

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What now?

As well as taking on board all the positives from the results of the questionnaire and celebrating what we do well, we’ve looked at any areas of concern raised by the young people we spoke to. Some were personal to them, some we more generally felt.

We are always looking for ways to develop what we do, improve our services and respond to those in our care.

Further information

• Read the full report: What young people think…and why it’s important to us
• Explore our website to find out more about our fostering services and how to become a foster carer
• Find out more about the Big Weekend, our annual activity weekend for young people in the care of TACT foster carers

Source:
http://tactcare.org.uk/news/what-tact-young-people-think/