Member News: Young care leavers demand more of care experts at Break’s Care Leaver Summit 2023

Our first Care Leaver Summit took place last week and saw young care leavers challenge social care experts including Josh MacAlister, Mark Riddell MBE, Children’s Commissioner Dame Rachel De Souza and Clare Miller, CEO of Clarion Housing Group, and ended with representatives from across social care, housing and health in the East of England pledging to work together to make life better for those leaving the care system. 

Taking place at Homerton College, over 100 key decision makers from local authorities, housing associations and health organisations heard from young people on the topics of mental health, housing and cost-of-living and how they impact their journey to independence. They also challenged a panel of central government experts on care experience being a protected characteristic; if the government’s new care strategy goes far enough; and how they see care experienced young people influencing the care agenda.

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​An introduction from Homerton College Principal Lord Simon Woolley of Woodford, with lived care experienced himself, called on the room to today produce magic to ensure young care leavers can fulfil their potential. Mark Riddell MBE asked delegates to look at their own local offer and challenge each organisation to see if it’s ambitious enough for care leavers. Following a review of the afternoon, Dr Mayor Nik Johnson for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority said he was open to working with those in the room to support care leavers and to never forget the three C’s: compassion, co-operation, and community. 

​ark Riddell MBE, National Advisor for Care Leavers said: ‘It’s fantastic to have young people present and co-chair and it’s absolutely the right thing to do. It’s all about the voice of young people and it’s great to see East of England local authorities come together. At a local level, people are working really hard, but we’ve still got to tap into the regional stuff. It’s about making sure we harness joined up relationships and having these people in the room today is part of that important co-production element. I thoroughly enjoyed being part of it and it will be good to see from this a couple of key messages that each local authority in a regional sense could begin to look at.” 

​Pledges from those present talked of making care leaver mental health support accessible and co-produced, with workers being trauma informed; to looking at setting up apprenticeships and employment opportunities; championing a joint approach with housing associations, and to keep talking, keep listening, keep challenging.  

“There was an energy in the room that will make a tangible difference to young people,” says Development Manager Stephen Hulme.  “What matters is what we do now and how we work together, and I believe there is a commitment and motivation to make things better. We know through our project, Staying Close, Staying Connected by putting young people’s voices at the centre and listening, we can better support them and ensure they have the future they deserve. But no one organisation can do this alone, and I’m looking forward to continuing the conversation with those here today.” 

Source:
break-charity.org/