Children in care council - No Labels
We value and recognise the the importance of young people’s participation and consultation. The aims of the children in care council and the No Labels meetings are to give young people a voice, be heard, and to enable them to have an active role in shaping and reviewing the services they receive.
Care Matters, published in 2006, highlighted that it is essential looked after children have the appropriate mechanisms in place to actively have their ideas, suggestions and voice heard within the local authority.
The children in care council has direct links to the looked after children and care leavers strategy 2022-25 [PDF], partnership strategy and the partnership pledge.
Children in care council sub-groups
The children in care council has the following sub-groups:
- Junior voice sub-group meetings (children and young people aged 8 to 12 years)
- Youth voice sub-group meeting (young people aged 13 to 17 years)
- 18+ and care leavers voice sub-group (older young people aged 18 to 25 years)
Each sub-group has elected young people standing as chair and vice chairperson, and their role is to work closely with the youth workers to ensure young people get their voices heard. Everyone is included in setting the agenda and ensuring the work of the sub-group is inclusive and completed.
No Labels meetings
No Labels is a formal children in care council meeting chaired by young people with a variety of professionals and decision makers in attendance, as well as representatives from each sub-group. In the meetings young people set the agenda and gain feedback from the representatives of the services they receive. The groups discuss and present their projects, views, and ideas they have been working on and receive feedback from invited guests. Projects which come into the groups from expression of interest forms are also discussed and signed off.
