New Care Experienced Ambassadors to shape services for young people

We’ve strengthened our commitment to children in care and care leavers by appointing two new Care Experienced Ambassadors who will help influence council services, challenge barriers, and represent the voices of care experienced young people.

Serena Waite and Maddie Micklethwaite, both 23, began their roles earlier this month. They will use their personal experiences of the care system to support the council’s ambition to coproduce services with young people rather than for them.

Their role will see them:

• Act as a voice for care experienced young people in meetings, panels and consultations

• Support the design, review and promotion of the Care Leavers Local Offer, which is coproduced with care experienced young people and reviewed annually based on their feedback.

• Work with council services and partners, including housing, education, employment, health) to highlight lived experience

• Help challenge stigma and raise awareness of care experience across the organisation

• Take part in training, events, recruitment panels and inspections where appropriate

They will also help raise awareness across the council of the challenges faced by care leavers, while highlighting what works well and where improvements can be made.

The initiative builds on Barnsley’s Local Offer for Care Leavers, which is developed in partnership with care experienced young people and reviewed regularly to ensure it reflects real experiences and needs.

Serena said: “We’ve been really busy so far, but it’s been a good start. We’ve delivered a presentation at the Independent Reviewing Officer meeting and discussed how we can be involved in the work they do.

(IROs play a crucial role in overseeing the care plans of looked after children, ensuring their voices are heard, and promoting their welfare.)

“I’m also interested in working with social workers to give my advice on further strengthening relationships with care experienced children.”

Maddie added: “We’ve been through the care experience and will be able to bring our personal understanding to advise and influence council services on how to talk to care experienced young people.

Carly Speechley, Executive Director for Children’s Services, said: “As a council we are proud to act as Corporate Parents to children in care and care leavers across Barnsley. Our Care Experienced Ambassadors will play a vital role in making sure lived experience is at the centre of what we do. Their insight helps us challenge ourselves, improve our services and ensure young people are genuinely listened to.”

We will continue to work closely with care experienced young people, partners and services to provide the right support at the right time, helping care leavers build confidence, independence and positive futures.

Pictured are: Serena Waite (L) and Maddie Micklethwaite (R) our two new Care Experienced Ambassadors.