Celebrating Shropshire’s young people in National Care Leavers Week

This week, as part of Care Leavers Week (25-29 October 2021), Shropshire Council are showcasing and celebrating the achievements of the county’s inspiring young people who have spent time in the care system and empowering them to reach their full potential.

With a focus to empathise and empower, throughout Care Leavers Week, the leaving care team are hosting a series of celebratory, informative and motivational events that recognise the challenges they face and equip care leavers with the knowledge and confidence they’ll need to help with their career pathway.

During the week, activities include drop-in advisory sessions with the Children in Care Council and careers advice, as well as bake-along, bowling, quizzes, sporting taster sessions.

As a corporate parent Shropshire Council has a responsibility and a duty of care to ensure that all young people leaving care are supported in living independently. The council helps care leavers in many ways including finding suitable accommodation, continuing their education, managing their finances, keeping healthy, and establishing good relationships.

It is time to celebrate the achievements of young people who have been in care and recognition of the challenges they face.

Kerry, a care-leaver who graduated from University Centre Shrewsbury, describes her experiences here:-

Episode 1 – An interview with one of our students Kerry who was a care-leaver from Shropshire and studied at University Centre Shrewsbury

Episode 2 – An interview with Becca Hughes in Student Support who is our link member of staff for our care leaver students, and Helen Cooper, our Widening Participation Officer who is our link member of staff for any children looked after who are considering university.

Holly Davies, care ambassador apprentice, is an experienced care leaver who juggles her job, caring for her young family and working for her degree. Here she shares her thoughts on her role within the council: https://youtu.be/7Bzc-TN4p2w

Holly Davies and her son Jay

The following statement is endorsed by Andy Begley, our chief executive, Tanya Miles, executive director of people, and Kirstie Hurst-Knight, Cabinet member for education and young people:-

“Many of us have children, grandchildren, nephews, nieces or friends’ family connections with young people. Of course, we want the best for them. We help them whenever we can, maybe financially or perhaps just by taking the time with advice or making contacts easier for them.

“We don’t stop caring about how they’re getting on just because they have left home or school or college. If they’re in trouble or unhappy we want to be there for them. We want to understand what it is like to walk in their shoes and to empower them.

“Our Looked-After Children and our care leavers are our children and young people. And if something – accommodation, relationships, job situation – isn’t good enough for our own children or grandchildren it isn’t good enough for our Looked After Children and care leavers. We always have high aspirations for them, and we are proud of them.” 

Find out more about the council’s local offer for care leavers visit: www.shropshire.gov.uk/looked-after-children/leaving-care/