Research reveals impact of lockdown on Children in Care Councils

Children in Care Council (CiCC) activities during the pandemic had many positive but unintended outcomes, including emotional and peer support, according to a new study.

The Compass research project looked at the impact of lockdown on a group of CiCCs and how local authorities can ensure young people’s voices are being heard.

Dr Clive Diaz, Lead Researcher for Compass, said: ‘Until now, relatively little research had been carried out into Children in Care Councils, how they shape policy and practice and how children and young people feel about participating in them.

‘This is surprising given their statutory and pivotal role in shaping how corporate parenting should be done. By exploring and foregrounding the views of Children in Care Council members, Compass seeks to rectify this.’

The project centred the voices of care-experienced children and young people, and was co-produced by a team of artists and independent researchers. The direction of the research was also informed by the care-experienced children and young people, who were all members of CiCCs in the North East.

It found that more consistency is needed in how local authorities support CiCCs.

Mental health was also found to be a major concern for CiCC members and they recommended including mental health check-ins as part of the CiCC remit.

However, CiCC activities had unintended positive benefits during the pandemic, and most young people still felt ‘heard’, with one young person saying: ‘We also get to know all the staff, so whenever they’ve got a question or they want our feedback, we talk to them and they really value our opinions and feedback and everything, which is really nice.’

The research was funded by the Department for Education and led by South Tyneside Council in collaboration with Gateshead-based organisation Blue Cabin.

Shona Gallagher, Director of Children’s Services at South Tyneside Council, said: ‘Children and young people are changing their choices and experience by making their voices and ideas heard. Children in Care Councils are full of expertise and imagination, and this research project has shown their value to our borough and region. We hope that the insight from this report helps shape the impact of Children in Care Councils everywhere.’

The full report can be read here.

Photo by Andrew Ebrahim