A powerful message of empathy and inclusivity has been sent by South Gloucestershire Council to its young residents who are in or who have left the care system, by formally recognising their experience as needing special consideration in decision-making.
People in the care system regularly experience discrimination, and young people from the council’s EPIC (Experienced Panel In Care) group made a powerful presentation to Members at the Cabinet as councillors considered how the authority can help support them.
The decision means the council will treat care leavers in the same way they treat people with other Protected Characteristics such as race, religion, disability and gender.
EPIC already works closely with council officers involved in providing support for young people in the care system, as well as to those leaving care and entering further and higher education and the world of work.
Having listened to the group in discussions over recent months, the council is keen to take a practical approach, to create a more inclusive and compassionate society that upholds the rights and dignity of all.
South Gloucestershire Council Cabinet Member with responsibility for Children’s Services, Cllr Maggie Tyrrell, said: “We want all children to have a great start in life and we are committed to combating and overcoming all inequalities they might face that could prevent them reaching their full potential.
“Through talking at length with some of our care-experienced young people, it’s clear that they face discrimination in their daily lives. We want to help overcome this, both by raising awareness of the problem and in practical ways, for example, in relation to finding work.
“We have taken this decision in direct response to their call on us to take practical steps to help. This cements our commitment to our care leavers, and we will now formally consider the particular impact of our policies and decisions on them in the future.”
As part of the discussion at the meeting, members of EPIC spoke about their personal experiences of the care system and the challenges they faced as they grew up and faced discrimination. They spoke about how being in care had been hugely impactful and that too often, as they worked hard to begin the next chapter of their lives, they faced challenges that many other young people do not.
EPIC member Corrine, said: “Living in care can be really difficult, so having the council listen to us and make this change that will make our lives easier is really nice.”
EPIC member, Charlie, added: “It’s really important to us that council has listened to us and that they will keep listening to us in the future. It means a lot that they have made this decision, not just for us, but for the young people who will live in care in the future.”