Challenge Cards

 

What are Challenge Cards?

Challenge cards are a formal way for you to express your views about issues faced by children in care or care leavers and influence the way Kent County Council delivers services. Once a challenge is received, it is taken to one of the Children in Care Councils where it is discussed. If the Children in Care Council feels that the challenge should be taken forward, it is discussed at a meeting of senior officers. It is the officers at this meeting who have the responsibility to decide on actions to meet the challenge and who will carry out these actions. It is also reported to the Corporate Parenting Panel. The Virtual School Kent Participation team will keep you updated about the progress of your challenge.

Challenges should be about issues that affect many children and young people in care and care leavers. Challenge cards that are related to personal issues are passed to relevant professionals who can help with the issue raised. Contact the Virtual School Kent Participation team to find out more about making a challenge to your corporate parents: VSK_Participation@kent.gov.uk.

How can I make a Challenge?

Any young person in care or Care Leaver can raise a challenge. You can:

• bring it directly to one of the children in care meetings that are held during the school holidays
• Contact the Participation Team by emailing VSK_Participation@kent.gov.uk
• post it to VSK, Worrall House, 19 Kings Hill Avenue, Kings Hill, West Malling, Kent, ME19 4AE
• give it to your social worker or personal advisor who will pass it to the VSK Participation Team
• Complete a challenge online

You can download a copy of the Challenge Card here but if you don’t have a printer, just use a normal piece of paper.

What happens next?

The Challenge is taken to one of the Children in Care (CiC) Councils (the Super Council, OCYPC or YAC) where it is discussed. Challenges should be about issues that affect many children and young people in care and care leavers. Challenge Cards that are related to personal issues are passed to relevant professionals who can help the young person who has written the Challenge.

If the CiC Councils feel that the Challenge should be taken forward, it is discussed at the Children in Care Managers’ Meeting. It is the officers at this meeting who have the responsibility to decide on actions to meet the Challenge and who will carry out these actions. They must update the Children in Care Councils with their progress towards meeting the Challenge. It is also reported at the Corporate Parenting Panel.