The Young Adult Council
The Role of the Participation and Engagement Team
The Participation Team’s role is to encourage all children in care and care leavers to speak up, voice their opinions and to help shape the services that they receive. They work hard to support children and young people to attend events, council meetings and sit on interview panels. This ensures that everything that Kent County Council does for young people in care and care leavers includes their views.
Alongside a team of Participation Support Officers and the Participation and Engagement Manager, we also have Apprentice Participation Workers within the Participation Team. They are undertaking an apprenticeship with Virtual School Kent and are here to help bridge the gap between you and the Kent County Council Members and Senior Directors. Many of the apprentices are young people who have been in care at some point or have had similar experiences. Their role involves supporting young people, encouraging them to speak up about their views and experiences, and discussing what they would like to change about the care system.
They organise the activity days for young adults that are run in the school holidays. The activity days are an opportunity to meet new friends, build confidence and have fun.
If you would like to get involved, have ideas about events or activities that could take place, want to share your opinions about the care system or are interested in becoming an Apprentice Participation Worker, please email VSK_Participation@kent.gov.uk.
Young Adult Council
The Young Adult Council is a group of young people in care and care leavers aged 16 and over. They meet regularly to have their say about issues that affect them and others in care or those who have left care, so they can make positive changes both in their own lives and for others. Elected members, senior leaders and key professionals at Kent County Council regularly come to meet with the members of Young Adult Council to hear their views on a variety of topics affecting young people in care and care leavers and take their advice before making significant changes or introducing new policies or procedures. The group also like to have fun. They regularly go on trips, take part in activities and fundraise for charity too.
Young Adult Council allows you to have your say and make sure your voice is heard by decision makers in Kent County Council. It is also a fantastic way to meet new people, build confidence and boost your CV. If you are interested in becoming a member of Young Adult Council, please contact VSK_Participation@kent.gov.uk.
YAC members also like to have fun. They regularly do activities, meet for meals or fundraise for charity.
We will pay your travel expenses if you come to a meeting and provide food. If you attend YAC regularly, you may be eligible for a free Young Person’s Railcard too!
Are you are interested in joining YAC? Or do you just want to have your say? Please contact us for further details.
YAC Projects
Each year, members of the Young Adult Council decide on a series of aims to work towards. These projects cover a variety of topics important to children and young people in care and care leavers.
The Stigma Film
Together with the Apprentice Participation Workers, YAC contributed to a film that sets out to dispel the myths and stigma around children and young people in care and challenge negative stereotypes. It also highlights the need for professionals to have high aspirations for young people in care. The film is now being shared with professionals working in Kent County Council and people wishing to become foster carers. The film can be viewed above.
Life Hacks, Recipes and Tips
In October 2017, Centrepoint, a charity that supports young people at risk of homelessness, published the report, ‘Views from the frontline; what do young people need to move on from care successfully?’ After reading the key recommendations, YAC members wanted to highlight not only the challenges that young people face as they leave care but also the need for support and advice during the transition to independence. As part of this, they together with the Participation Team created a booklet, ‘Life Hacks, Recipes and Tips’. Full of simple recipes, handy hints and nifty tricks, some light hearted, some more serious, they hope that it proves a useful and enjoyable read for care leavers and those preparing to leave care in Kent.
In 2021, YAC members also worked together with the Participation Team to create a Cookbook with easy recipes as well as money saving advice and checklists for young people moving into independence.