Our offer to care leavers

Have your say

We want to hear what you have to say so that we can improve our support and services.

There are several participation groups you can get involved with:

  • Big conversation – a forum for young people with special educational needs and disabilities. Young people help shape disabled children's service, support with staff training and recruitment
  • The Big conversation – a forum held in school holidays where young people in care and care leavers gather to meet staff, elected members and make friends. An opportunity to offer your views, impact the service to you, and grow you confidence in sharing your ideas.  For more information contact Joanne Lynn at Barnardos or our participation team.  Alternatively speak to your social worker or leaving care worker
  • children in care council – a council for young people aged 11 to 18 years, who are looked after. It represents children and young people's views to corporate parent forum, plans, campaigns and projects.
  • care experienced consultants - these are care leavers who work on projects with the council and partners. They support the work of the corporate parent forum and transitions board
  • participation with Barnardo’s – Barnardo’s run many participation events including trips, social events. We will support in influencing national decisions (including visiting London), cooking skills classes and events which aim to gather you views and voice.  You can contact Joanne Lynn at Barnardo's for more information, or call 01522 575955 and ask to speak to a member of the participation team. 
  • Find out more about your participation offer and activities in the future.

If you want to get involved, speak with your leaving care worker.

How to deal with a problem or make a complaint

We know it's not always easy to speak out. However, it's your right to say how you feel about things that affect you and to be heard. You could try talking to:

  • your social worker
  • your leaving care worker
  • someone who looks after you

If you wish to make a complaint or compliment someone, call us on 01522 575955 and ask to talk to the leaving care service manager.

If you have spoken to the leaving care service manager, but you are still not happy, contact the National Youth Advocacy Service

Contact the leaving care team

Telephone: 01522 575955