http://www.crin.org/docs/Lost After Care Report Oct2013 Wales.pdf

Today we are publishing our Lost After Care Monitoring Report. The report details the progress made by local authorities and other partners to address service improvements in relation to young people leaving care. The report will form part of a continuing dialogue that the Commissioner wants to establish with government, local authorities, and professionals about continuing to improve the outcomes for young people transitioning from care to independence.

Background to the report

In 2011 the Office of the Children’s Commissioner for Wales published “Lost After Care”, a report detailing the experiences of young people preparing to leave care and the concerns they expressed about a wide range of issues affecting their rights and welfare as they moved to independence.

The report highlighted significant examples of good practice in relation to the way in which professionals, practitioners and local services worked with young people to assist them in this transition; it also identified a number of shortcomings that made this transition difficult and challenging for young people.

Young people were not always aware of the services that were available to them and therefore did not always use them. They were unclear about the differing roles of the various professionals that they came into contact with, despite the importance that they attached to these relationships, and they felt that the planning for their move to independence was often inadequate and rushed. Young people also felt that they were not sufficiently listened to and consulted in relation to the important decisions that were being made about their life and their transition from care to independence.

Care Leavers Event 2013

In July 2013 the Office of the Children’s Commissioner for Wales held its second All Wales Care Leavers Event at Atlantic College, Llantwit Major. The event was attended by nearly 100 young people from across Wales.

The event was held for the first time in 2012 in response to a request by young people who asked the Commissioner to organise an event which would bring young people in care and leaving care to meet and share information and experiences, and more importantly to enjoy a fun and positive experience!

A team of young people from Caerphilly's 'Shout Out Group' volunteered to work alongside the creative gurus from Vibe Experience to produce a documentary to capture the day’s events.

Organisation Contact Details:

Children’s Commissioner for Wales - UK
Oystermouth House
Phoenix Way
Swansea Enterprise Park
Llansamlet
Swansea SA7 9FS

Tel: +44 1792 765 600
Email: post@childcomwales.org.uk
Website: www.childcomwales.org.uk

Last updated 11/10/2013 12:49:04