Improvements supporting their mental health has been listed as their top priority in a series of demands issued to Daby through A National Voice, the children in care council hosted by the charity Coram Voice.
Of young people surveyed by A National Voice just under two thirds said mental health was the “top issue to be tackled”.
Suggestions include having greater access to counselling and therapy, so that young people with experience of care can choose to “opt-out rather than opt-in”.
“More and better trauma training for staff, teachers and foster carers,” is also needed said one young person surveyed by A National Voice.
Another said: “Your mental health impacts everything; everyday life, education, just getting up in the morning.”
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Ensuring professionals listen to young people when making decisions that impact their lives, is the next most popular recommendation cited. This has backing from just under half of care experienced children and young people surveyed.
“The decisions made about our lives are often out of our control. It creates chaos and fear in young people which lasts a lifetime,” said one young person surveyed.
Also being called for is help for care experienced young people to build better relationships. Just over a third of young people backed this call, with one saying “when I was first in care I didn't understand or know how to have good/friendly relationships. It would be good to have help learning this”.
Other recommendations for government include tackling misleading information they are given and to ensure Daby meets children and young people regularly.
“This is a powerful message from care- experienced children and young people that they need more and better support – particularly around mental health, said Coram Voice managing director Brigid Robinson.
“We look forward to working productively with the children’s minister and the new government to make life better for children in care and care leavers.”
Next month Coram Voice is staging its Voices 2025 creative writing awards for care-experienced children and young people.
Taking pace in London on 30 May this will be hosted by care-experienced broadcaster Ashley John-Baptiste and features actor Peter Capaldi as a special guest.
John-Baptiste is the founder of Be Inspired Online, an organisation aim to spark aspirations of people who have spent time in care, and fronted the BBC Three documentary 'Care Home Kids: Looking For Love' as well as a documentary about siblings separated in care. His debut book 'Looked After: A Childhood in Care' was published in 2024.
Ashley John-Baptiste said: “I’m passionate about the outcomes for young people who have been through the care system and giving them opportunities to unlock their ambitions and potential. That’s why I’m proud and excited to host this year’s Voices awards. It’s set to be an incredibly inspiring event, and I can’t wait to hear the finalists’ stories.”
