NYA Update: Young People's Voice Project gives council the golden touch

Staffordshire County Council is the first in the Midlands to receive a prestigious NYA award, ?for giving young people in care the chance to influence the way council services are run.

The county council’s Children’s Voice Project, based in Stafford, received the Hear by Right Gold Award at a ceremony on Friday 16th March.

The award recognises the outstanding and innovative work the county council does to ensure children in care are able to say what’s important to them, and influence what the council does to help and support them. This includes children who live in children’s homes or foster care, or who are cared for by family or friends.

County councillor and cabinet member for children’s wellbeing, Mike Lawrence said: “Giving people in Staffordshire a real say in what we do to improve lives is a county council priority”.

Laura, aged 18, who is fostered in Staffordshire and is a member of Staffordshire’s children in care council said: “The Children’s Voice Project is a huge part of our lives, we love making changes for young people and knowing that we make life-changing decisions for the better.”

The NYA was impressed with a number of initiatives run by the county council. These include the pledge the council has made to support children in care, and a scheme that gives looked-after children and young people the chance ?to own their own bikes.

Fiona Blacke, NYA ?chief executive, said: “Embedding youth participation into the development of services ?is not only best practice, ?but vital to ensuring provision is relevant to local needs.”

Find out more about the Hear by Right Award at www.nya.org.uk/quality/hear-by-right.