Participation in Society
Working Together for a Better Future
We know that if we work together, things will be better for all of us. This section tells you about the ways that you can get involved to make life better for Care Leavers now and in the future.
How We Will Help You
We will tell you about clubs and groups that you can join to meet other care experienced young people.
We will ask you how you feel about the way we run Sandwell Children’s Trust and see if we can work together to make things better.
We will help you get advice and guidance to secure British Citizenship if you need to apply.
You can join our ‘Young Ambassadors’ Programme which will reward you for helping us to make our service better. The things you could be doing may include:
- Helping us recruit staff by being a part of the interview panel
- Helping us deliver induction sessions to new staff
- Delivering training to staff and foster carers
- Helping us put on events throughout the year
- Checking our work to make sure it’s good quality
- Inspecting children’s homes
- Talking to other care experienced young people and children we care for about their experiences
We will involve you in planning and invite you to events that celebrate your achievements.
These could be things like Voice Fest or the FIYA Awards Celebration.
- We may be able to provide you with a laptop or Chromebook to help you access the internet.
- You may be eligible for a discounted or free bus travel with Transport for West Midlands.
Please speak to your PA for more details
We will tell you all about the Care Leaver Covenant and the opportunities that can help you.
You will have the chance to help with election processes that Sandwell Council run. This could be when new councillors or MPs are elected.
You will have the opportunity to sit in the Corporate Parenting Board (CPB) to represent other care experienced young people. The CPB is a meeting between young people and the partners that are working to make things better, like the Children’s Trust, the council and Health.
We will invite you to help organise and enjoy events where you can meet other care experienced young people.
You will have the opportunity to take part in the National Take Over Challenge.
The Forum for Independent Young Adults
We will invite you to join the Forum for Independent Young Adults (FIYA) which is a group that works with us to make things better.
If you join, we give you a reward when you attend and help you with transport costs to get to the meetings.
Citizens Advice
Citizens Advice provide a drop in service at our METSEC Building offering specialist support and advice to care experienced young people.
Speak to your PA about this.
And that’s not all
You have the right to see the information that we keep about you, including the files and records written about you when you were in care. Your PA can help you access this information if you would like to.
You will have free access to any events that Sandwell Council normally charge entrance for. These include the fireworks display and Christmas events.
We will also help you celebrate Christmas with a gift and invite to a Christmas party for care experienced young people.
Additional services
Additional services are available for Care Leavers depending on your status.
Children and young people with a disability have access to the Send Local Offer which is tailored specifically to your needs.
This section explains what is provided for each leaver status.
When you are 16-17 years old
- We will help you apply for important documents before your 18th birthday, such as your passport, provisional driving licence, birth certificate and national insurance number
- We will help you access programmes run by the National Citizen Service if you need them
When you reach 18 years old
- We will help you to register to vote
- You could be entitled to an English National Concessionary Pass if you are registered disabled. This gives you free off-peak travel between Monday to Friday available at: networkwestmidlands.com
- We will support you with a laptop and help to get online. Speak to your PA about this
Useful Resources and Websites
Contact us if you use a website that you think would fit nicely in here
