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‘We must have boundless ambition for the young people in our care’
A group of young people stole the show – and many hearts – when they bravely spoke out in public about life in care.
Bristol’s updated pledge to nurture, champion and give some of its most vulnerable citizens the best start in life was put into very real perspective with the words of some of the talented people to whom it applies.
Jake, 17, Ridwan, 12, Sukiyah, 15, and Laqesha, 10, stood before a full council meeting in City Hall on Tuesday to speak about what the corporate parenting strategy – a promise to people in care and care leavers means to them.
is needed now More than ever
“We hope you will read the pledge carefully because it is the promises you have made to us,” they said in a shared statement.
“One promise is that you will listen to us and that’s why we are here tonight – to remind you that we are real children and these pledges are important to our lives. We need you to care for us as if we were your own children.”
A poem written and read by Laqesha beautifully and eloquently portrayed her own experiences, leaving barely a dry eye in the house.
In it, she thanked her parents for giving her and her sister a chance to be happy, ending with the line: “People used to stare at kids in care, but we walk on by with our heads held high.”
There are around 700 young people in care in Bristol and, statistically, they are among the most vulnerable in the city and are around twice more likely to be out of work or education than their peers.
Helen Godwin
Speaking about council’s corporate parenting pledge, Helen Godwin, cabinet member for children and young people, said many steps have been taken to improve life and outcomes for children in care and care leavers – but there is still more to be done.
“I consider this one of our most serious responsibilities as a council and we have to continue to advocate, champion and nurture those children in our care and care leavers just as we would our own children,” she said.
Outlining a number of improvements made in Bristol to improve outcomes for children in care, she continued: “Indicators cannot convey the lived experiences of people in our care.
“We must have boundless ambition for the young people in our care and make sure there are limitless opportunities for them to thrive and fulfil their potential.”
Eleanor Combley
Backing the pledge, Eleanor Combley, leader of Bristol Green group, said: “We need to recruit foster carers, to replace those retiring, if we are going to continue to be able to offer children the stable long term placements they need.
“We need schools and communities to support our high aspirations for our children in care and make sure they can access opportunities to shine.
“We need employers to both support employees who foster, and offer opportunities like work experience to our children in care.”
Adding her support, Harriet Clough, a Lib Dem councillor for Hengrove and Whitchurch Park, spoke of her own experience growing up with foster children in the house, saying she knows the difference a good foster carers can make
She urged everyone to consider if they might be in a position to foster.
Lord mayor Cleo Lake told all of the young people who spoke out that the city is very proud of them
The motion to adopt the report and updated pledge on the corporate parenting strategy was unanimously voted through.
Read more: Support and council tax exemption for Bristol’s care leavers
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