Care experience recognised as a protected characteristic in Shropshire

Last week Shropshire Council voted to accept a proposal that people with care experience are treated as if it were a protected characteristic. The vote took place on a Motion (agenda item 17a) at a meeting of Full Council on Thursday 21 March 2024.

Many people who experienced social care during childhood face discrimination, stigma and prejudice in their day to day lives, similar in nature to other groups that have a legally protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010.

Protected characteristics already included in the Equality Act include age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.

Care experienced people often face discrimination and stigma across housing, health, education, relationships, employment, and in the criminal justice system.

The council will now treat care experience as if it were a protected characteristic, and call upon all other bodies to do the same, until such time as it may be introduced by the Government through legislation. The council will also continue to seek out and listen to the voices of care experienced people when developing new policies based on their views.

Care experienced made a protected characteristic by Full Council.
Left-to-right: Andy Begley, chief executive; Tanya Miles, executive director for people;, Lezley Picton, Leader of the Council; Mr Shemmel; Kirstie Hurst Knight, Cabinet member for children and education; Tony Parsons, a local Shropshire Councillor for Bayston Hill, Sutton and Column; and Tom Mosley, personal adviser, looked-after children.

Kirstie Hurst Knight, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for children and education, said:-

“Every councillor and staff member, along with our partner agencies, is a corporate parent to the children in our care. Introducing a protected characteristic for care experience will mean that some of our most vulnerable residents will be happier, healthier, and safer, and have the confidence and opportunities to be ambitious and strive to achieve their goals.

“This is a huge step forward towards giving our young people a fair and equitable opportunity to live their best lives in Shropshire.”