The council passed a motion yesterday (27 February) to treat care experience as a protected characteristic, after care-experienced young people from the city's Hear Me Out care advocacy group brought the issue to the attention of councillors.
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The motion, brought forward by councillor Lani-Mae Ball, recognises that care-experienced people are a vulnerable group who face discrimination, and resolves that future council policies will consider any impact on those with care experience.
Care-experienced young people from the Hear Me Out group addressed councillors after the motion passed. A care leaver, known as Danielle, said: “Today was emotional, quite heartfelt, and it really touched me. It was nice to see councillors coming forward about their own experienced of being in care.”
She added that she faced discrimination as a care leaver following her pregnancy, saying: “In hospital after having given birth, when I mentioned about being a care leaver, I felt them judging me. They made me feel like I should be a super-mum, and that I could not ask for help because otherwise I’d have my child taken away.”
Another care leaver Kanisha, aged 22, said: “I was watching our group of young people as the motion passed and there were tears. We are all passionate about this because we want the future to be better for other children in care and care leavers.”
Rebecca, aged 18, recounted her experiences of discrimination as a care-experienced young person whilst in education, noting: “A councillor who is a lecturer spoke today about our motion, and I was thinking, that’s where I faced the most discrimination. I’ve had students ask me what it’s like in care, then teachers join in, wanting to know what it is like rather than cutting the conversation off.”
The hearts and minds of those in power are what we need if we are to succeed in getting the change we desperately need. 💕 💞 ♥️ https://t.co/LFEN5CHmF2
— Terry Galloway (@TerryGalloway) February 28, 2023
Councillor Rachael Blake, portfolio holder for children’s social care, communities and equalities for Doncaster, said it was the “most moving, heartfelt and determined discussion about a motion that I have seen in the seven years I have been sitting in this chamber”.
“I hope Danielle, Rebecca, Kanisha, Courtney, Chelsea and Fay you can tell that we have listened to you, and determined that in Doncaster we are going to change things. We are not going to wait for the government to act," she added.
Care-experienced campaigner Terry Galloway, who has spearheaded the movement to see local authorities across the UK view care experience as a protected characteristic, added: “I’m so proud of this group of young people in Doncaster for bringing this motion to the attention of their corporate parents. It is a pleasure to be here to witness this.
“They are so brave, and it is traumatic, they got a result for themselves and others so hopefully it is worthwhile. I really hope this will spur other groups across these islands to bring more motions so that we can finally get the change we need and deserve”
Doncaster is the latest in a series of councils to recognise care experience as a protected characteristic, with Lancashire County Council voting to pass a similar motion last week (23 February). Other local authorities to have recognised care experience as a protected characteristic include Lambeth Borough Council, Nottinghamshire County Council, Sefton Council and Wigan Council.
