Thanks for visiting Kent Cares Town. This website is for all young people who are or who have been in the care of Kent County Council. Choose the section that best suits you to find out more.
Primary
This is the section to find out everything you need to know about being in care if you are aged under 11. Click on the superheroes below!
Secondary
Aged 11 to 16? Click below to learn about being in care, how Kent County Council supports your education and health and lots more.
Moving On
Click here to find out about what happens when you turn 18. The information here will help you plan for when you leave care and start to live independently.
Get Involved!
There is a gallery of wonderful art created by children in care and you can even send in your poems, stories and experiences to our Writers’ Corner!
VSK’s journey towards becoming a Nurturing Virtual School
Our Children and Young people have made a short film with the support of VSK’s Participation and Engagement Team to show what they think about Nurture and our 6 principles. The young people feel these are important principles that all practitioners should work towards.
Wild World Heroes, The Summer Reading Challenge 2021
Get ready for the Wild World Heroes, as Summer Reading Challenge 2021 comes to Kent libraries!
Kent libraries are excited to introduce Wild World Heroes, Summer Reading Challenge 2021; a celebration of nature and action for the environment, in partnership with WWF UK.
Running from 10 July – 11 September 2021, for the first time, children can choose to sign up and participate in the Summer Reading Challenge either by visiting a Kent Library to claim their joining pack, or by visiting wildworldheroes.org.uk to take part online. Visit kent.gov.uk/libs to find an up-to-date list of our open libraries and information about when others will be opening.
Meet the Wild World Heroes - Carys, Marcus, Callum, Willow, Faiza, David and their trusted animal companions from Wilderville, who are all on a mission to take action and save their natural world.
Children can help the Wild World Heroes by signing up to the Summer Reading Challenge and reading six library books over the summer period. It can be any type of reading material including stories, information books, audiobooks, eBooks, eAudiobooks, eMagazines and more. When they have read their six books and completed the Summer Reading Challenge, they will receive a medal and certificate (while stocks last). And it’s all for free!
Live Virtual Zoolabs
Zoolab Rangers bring their animals to our free online Zoolab events, part of Kent Libraries Summer Reading Challenge, Wild World Heroes.
Naturetown – suitable for 5-8 year olds Wed 4 Aug 1pm-1.45pm Thurs 12 Aug 10am-10.45am https://bit.ly/NatureTown Hear about the adventure of fellow eco-warriors helping local wildlife, reinforcing what we can all do to protect and care for our animal neighbours.
Eco Investigators – suitable for 8-11 year olds Wed 18 Aug 10am-10.45am Thurs 26 Aug 1pm-1.45pm https://bit.ly/EcoInvestigators Become an Eco Investigator and learn how we can help save our animal friends - all from the comfort of your own home!
Get ready for the Wild World Heroes, as Summer Reading Challenge 2021 comes to Kent libraries!
Kent libraries are excited to introduce Wild World Heroes, Summer Reading Challenge 2021; a celebration of nature and action for the environment, in partnership with WWF UK.
Running from 10 July – 11 September 2021, for the first time, children can choose to sign up and participate in the Summer Reading Challenge either by visiting a Kent Library to claim their joining pack, or by visiting wildworldheroes.org.uk to take part online. Visit kent.gov.uk/libs to find an up-to-date list of our open libraries and information about when others will be opening.
Meet the Wild World Heroes - Carys, Marcus, Callum, Willow, Faiza, David and their trusted animal companions from Wilderville, who are all on a mission to take action and save their natural world.
Children can help the Wild World Heroes by signing up to the Summer Reading Challenge and reading six library books over the summer period. It can be any type of reading material including stories, information books, audiobooks, eBooks, eAudiobooks, eMagazines and more. When they have read their six books and completed the Summer Reading Challenge, they will receive a medal and certificate (while stocks last). And it’s all for free!
Live Virtual Zoolabs
Zoolab Rangers bring their animals to our free online Zoolab events, part of Kent Libraries Summer Reading Challenge, Wild World Heroes.
Naturetown – suitable for 5-8 year olds Wed 4 Aug 1pm-1.45pm Thurs 12 Aug 10am-10.45am https://bit.ly/NatureTown Hear about the adventure of fellow eco-warriors helping local wildlife, reinforcing what we can all do to protect and care for our animal neighbours.
Eco Investigators – suitable for 8-11 year olds Wed 18 Aug 10am-10.45am Thurs 26 Aug 1pm-1.45pm https://bit.ly/EcoInvestigators Become an Eco Investigator and learn how we can help save our animal friends - all from the comfort of your own home!
Art Competition – Design a Logo for the Strengthening Independence Service
The Disabled Children and Young People’s Service is running a competition for young people to design a logo for the service, which will now be called Strengthening Independence.
The Disabled Children and Young People’s Service is made up of a range of services that offer support to disabled children, young people, and their families. Young people have decided on the name and look of the service and now we want your help designing the logo for the Strengthening Independence Service!
The competition is open to young people of all ages and there are prizes for the top three entries. The winning entry will be turned into the new logo for the service.
The closing date is Sunday 25th July. Good luck!
You can find out more or send your entries to Chloe-Elizabeth Mutton, the SEND Youth Participation Officer by emailing Chloe-Elizabeth.Mutton@Kent.gov.uk
Virtual School Kent Awards 2021 Nominations Are Now Open
This year’s Virtual School Kent Awards Nominations are now open for Kent’s Children and Young people in Care, and Care Leavers.
Foster Carers, Social Workers, Teachers and other professionals can now nominate young people from Early Years to Year 13+ using the online nomination form - Virtual School Kent awards nomination form
The Awards are a great opportunity to celebrate young people’s effort and achievements. We are hopeful that we will be able to meet up with young people in September and October to celebrate their achievements this year in person, however if this does not prove possible we will still finds ways to celebrate their achievements!
The Award Categories this year are:
Outstanding or greatly improved academic achievement
Outstanding or greatly improved engagement and/or attitude towards learning
Outstanding contribution to the education, training, or employment placement
Outstanding contribution to the community
Wider achievements of note
The deadline to make a nomination is Friday 30th July for Early Years and those in Year Reception to Year 11, and Friday 27th August for those in Year 12, Year 13 and for our Care Leavers.
When you are in care, your corporate parents are the people who have responsibility for keeping you safe and looking after your wellbeing. They make sure your time in care is as positive as it can be, listen to your opinions and have your best interests at heart. They will help you if you have a problem and care about how you are feeling.
This isn’t just one person but a large group of different people. Your corporate parents include staff in Kent County Council like your social worker, personal adviser or independent reviewing officer, doctors, nurses and other health care workers, the police, staff in schools and colleges and others who work with and look after you. It also includes senior staff at Kent County Council. Some of these people are shown below.
Click on the images to find out more
Matt Dunkley CBE
Corporate Director Children, Young People and Education
“I want you to help me make Kent the best place for children and young people to grow up, learn, develop and achieve.”
Corporate Director Children, Young People and Education
I am the Corporate Director for Children, Young People and Education Services. I
am really pleased that we have now brought together all services for children and
young people in one department. As Director, it means that I have a legal
responsibility to ensure safeguarding is everyone’s priority and to make sure that
Kent County Council is the best parent we can be for all of the children in our care
and for our care leavers.
I will want to meet as many of you as possible and to hear whether we are doing the
best we can for you. You will always be my highest priority in this job.
I have over 33 years experience in Education and Children’s Services and this
includes working in East Sussex, the United States of America, Australia and most
recently Norfolk. I am a father to three children and grandfather to one. When I was
growing up, my parents were foster carers to other children so I have some
knowledge of what life was like for children in care from that time.
I really do look forward to getting out and about to meet with as many young people
as possible – I want you to help me make Kent the best place of children and young
people to grow up, learn, develop and achieve.
Roger Gough
Leader of the Council
“I think it is really important that children in care have people to speak for them, to support them and to promote their interests.”
Director Integrated Services (Children's Social Work Lead)
Stuart Collins
Director Integrated Services (Early Help and Preventative Services Lead)
Caroline Smith
Assistant Director for Corporate Parenting
“As a Corporate Parent, I want the absolute best for our children and young people, ensuring they get the right support to achieve their full potential.”
Interim Assistant Director for Corporate Parenting
What is your job role and what does this mean?
Hello, I am Caroline Smith, the Interim Assistant Director for Corporate Parenting. I am
responsible for the services that support our Children in Care and Care Leavers including
Kent Fostering Service, Adoption, VSK and 18plus Care Leavers. As a Corporate Parent I
want the absolute best for our children and young people, ensuring they get the right support
to achieve their full potential. I am very proud of the children and young people we work with
and always value any feedback on our services about what we can do to support you.
How did you end up working in this job role?
I have worked for Kent County Council for 26 years, completing my training as a Social
Worker and working with children and adults with disabilities, before working in the Fostering
Service for 13 years. I am currently covering the Assistant Director role as wanted to be able
to make a difference in the lives of as many children and young people as possible.
What is the best thing about your job?
The best thing about my job is seeing the achievements of children and young people within
my services. I love the variety my job gives and the ability to create change with new ideas
that will improve the lives of those I am a corporate parent too.
Tell us one fact about you that young people might like to know?!
If I won the lottery, I would buy a café on the beach, spending the day baking cakes and
looking out at the sea.
Tony Doran
VSK Headteacher
“The best thing about my job is seeing the great outcomes achieved by the amazing young people that I serve.”
I head the Virtual School Kent which is responsible for promoting and improving educational standards for Children in Care and Young Care Leavers of Kent. I am responsible for the coordination of services provided by VSK such as:
Supporting key colleagues (Social workers, Foster carers, Designated Teachers, School Leaders, School Governors, IROs and your Corporate Parents) in understanding their roles and responsibilities in promoting your education and ensuring that they have the highest aspirations for you.
Providing information advice and guidance for you and for the key professionals who may work with you.
Ensuring effective systems are in place to offer extra support.
Ensuring you are at the centre of what we do and that we listen. We do this through our Participation & Engagement Team who run the activity days, children in care councils (Super Council, OCYPC and YAC) and Kent Cares Town website to name but a few specific activities.
How did you end up working in this job role?
I had been working in Educational Leadership for many years specialising in improving school culture and inclusion. This led to some consultancy opportunities which led to me being selected as an educational behaviour expert in the National Behavioural Review within the Prime Ministers Delivery Unit (PMDU) and subsequently the National Strategies. This experience of Central and Local Government work coupled with my passion for inclusion and working with disadvantaged groups of young people inspired me to search for and eventually secure the post of Virtual School Headteacher.
What is the best thing about your job?
That’s easy, it’s seeing the great outcomes achieved by the amazing young people that I serve. I especially look forward to days like the VSK Talent Showcase and the VSK Achievement Ceremonies in September and October.
Tell us one fact about you that young people might like to know?!
I was a Welsh International Athlete. Well athlete is pushing it…. I used to throw the Discus and Hammer for Wales.
Nicola Anthony
Head of Fostering – East
“Our aim is to recruit and supervise the very best foster carers to promote a safe and secure environment for children and young people in Kent.”
I am the Head of Kent Fostering and Registered Manager. I directly line manage
the centralised part of Kent Fostering which includes recruitment and assessment of foster
carers. I am responsible for making the decision whether to approve new foster carers,
including Connected Persons who have been assessed and presented to the Fostering
Panel. I oversee the running of all Fostering Panels along with having overall management
responsibility for the Specialist Fostering Team who cover Disability Fostering and the Sense
of Belonging, along with the Fostering Review Team, Training and Development for foster
carers and Initial Enquiries.
I work closely with the seven area Fostering Support Teams to promote joint working and
support to foster carers, children and young people. The Fostering Support Teams supervise
foster carers, match all referrals for children placements with appropriately skilled carers,
promote training for carers and facilitate support groups.
How did you end up working in this job role?
I have worked with Kent Fostering Service for 19 years, initially as a Fostering Social Worker
and then as Team Manager for Assessment and Support Teams. In the last couple of years
I have been working alongside the Head of Fostering Caroline Smith, in the role of Practice
Development Officer with a lead on Fostering. Caroline is currently covering the Assistant
Director post for Corporate Parenting and I am covering for Caroline.
What is the best thing about your job?
I am passionate about this role as it oversees the fostering service to ensure that Kent
Fostering recruit and supervise the very best foster carers to promote a safe and secure
environment for children and young people in Kent.
Tell us one fact about you that young people might like to know?!
I love playing netball and have played for many teams since I was a teenager including
Canterbury under 21s. I am a Goal Shooter and have played in the freezing rain and on the
hottest of days.
