In late March, the CLA – like many other organisations – had to respond rapidly to the Covid-19 pandemic (more details here – https://www.careleavers.com/the-care-leavers-association-and-the-covid-19-pandemic/). Following that period of adjustment, we are now relaunching our public activities. From Wednesday 15th of April we are resuming work on various projects and helping individual care leavers with advice, support and advocacy. Carrie Wilson-Harrop and Darren Coyne will provide advice, support and advocacy to care leavers and those supporting them. Alongside National Director David Graham the team will continue to work to influence national government and local authority policy and practice and in particular ensuring that care leavers are fully supported during and after… Read More
Continue ReadingThe Care Leavers Association and the Covid-19 Pandemic
Like everyone else, The CLA has had to respond rapidly to the coronavirus crisis. For the safety of our staff team, The CLA office closed last week. Since most of our various funded projects require frequent interaction with other people, they are currently suspended. However, where we can do so without face-to-face interaction, we will continue with other project work. The staff team are mostly on leave whilst we organise ways to continue our work remotely for the time being. We need to find different ways, consistent with staff safety and wellbeing, to support care leavers. We are conscious that many care leavers now face fresh challenges as a result… Read More
Continue ReadingGovernment to ban care for 16-18 year olds?
The government has set up a consultation on the use of unregulated accommodation for 16-18 year olds. This comes after an investigation by Newsnight which showed that young people were being placed in appalling conditions and often left to fend for themselves. If a young person is put in a residential placement where they are receiving care then this falls under the scope of a childrens home and is subject to Ofsted regulations. If they do not receive care and instead just receive support, then they can be put into accommodation which is currently unregulated. The consultation outlines options to ban the use of unregulated accommodation for under 18s. However,… Read More
Continue ReadingLetter to Education Secretary
The Rt Hon Gavin Williamson CBE MP, Secretary of State for Education, We are writing on behalf of The Care Leavers Association, a user-led charity working to improve the lives of care leavers of all ages and the steering group of The Care Experienced Conference held in Liverpool in April 2019. Both groups are very experienced at listening to care leavers and ensuring that the user-voice is highlighted in key political, social and cultural spaces. Both groups fully support the commitment in the conservative party manifesto for a review of the care system. Whilst some elements of the current care system undoubtedly make a positive difference, there are many aspects… Read More
Continue ReadingSupreme Court Judgement
Landmark judgment rules that Local Authorities can face legal action if they fail to protect vulnerable children Abuse law experts say judgment provides protection for victims and legal clarity for councils A landmark judgment handed down today has ruled that local authorities can be held legally accountable if they fail to protect vulnerable young people and children in their area who are considered to be at risk, regardless of whether they are officially in care. A previous Court of Appeal decision which gave Social Workers exemption from liability in cases where children who are known to social services are harmed was also overruled. In the judgment which was handed down… Read More
Continue ReadingCJS Roundtables
https://www.careleavers.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Between-Care-and-the-Criminal-Justice-System-A-Multi-Agency-Round-Table-Discussion.pdf The Care Leavers’ Association (CLA) held a series of Care Leaver Roundtable Events in November 2018 at HMP Hatfield, Wealstun and Humber in Yorkshire & Humberside. We have published the report above, which draws on the views of delegates who attended from across the Yorkshire & Humber region. These roundtables were care leaver led and brought together operational and strategic leads from across the region, with a focus on understanding what the region was able to do in response to care leavers and children looked after who find themselves in criminal justice settings
Continue ReadingNational Gathering 30th March
The Care Leavers Association National Gathering and AGM will take place on 30th March 2019 at The Friends Meeting House Manchester. Join us from 1:30 for some lunch with proceedings starting at 2. This year the theme is Building Connections: Reducing Loneliness. Our key note speaker is Ian Dickson. Care leaver, retired residential care manager and Ofsted inspector, many of you will know Ian from his tireless campaigning to improve outcomes for care leavers. Ian is an inspiring person and speaker. Come and be uplifted and energised by what he has to say. We will be having an open discussion to talk about connections and loneliness. If you would like… Read More
Continue ReadingGood News
The CLA has recently received funding for 2 new projects. The Big Lottery is funding us through its Building Connections Fund to tackle loneliness and isolation. We will work over 2 years to establish an online digital network to help care leavers across the country to connect and support each other. The Igen Trust is funding us to develop a project to improve the mental health of young care leavers. We will be working with care leavers in Sheffield and Greater Manchester as well as with the local universities to deliver group work and individual support. More information on these projects will be released soon.
Continue ReadingCare Leavers in Focus Opportunity
The Care Leavers Association is working in a partnership led by award winning charity PhotoVoice exploring the experiences of people who have gone through the care system. In partnership with 3 charities, the project will use photography to explore the experiences of adults who have left care (25+). Cameras will be provided, and no photographic experience is necessary – the insights shared through the 8 weekly workshops will help PhotoVoice develop new toolkits designed to improve the care system and support those currently in care. Drawing on PhotoVoice’s extensive experience in participatory photography and participatory-led engagement, participants will be trained in digital photography and media, storytelling and self-advocacy. They will be supported to… Read More
Continue ReadingSharing experiences across the pond about accessing Care Records
Today the Care Leavers’ Association shared experiences and the history of accessing care files in the UK with Jacob Rasmussen from the Danish Welfare Museum. This included talking about the process of accessing care files in the UK and also the importance of being able to access the vital piece of history and identity for each person who has care experience. At the Danish Welfare Museum they have been helping many care leaver to access their care files in Denmark. We hope to see Jacob again soon, and wish him well on his travels.
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