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In 1982 I wrote a Report, which I also presented to the House of Commons Parliamentary Committee on 'children in care'. The evidence was highly commended & included in the Children's Act 1989. The excerpts below are #cep history & legacy. And our contribution to the CA 1989.
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The Introduction. (Excerpt only)
Talks about the CA 1980 and the "welfare principle" and how practise falls behind intention.
"The problem is that decision making still lies with the professional and doesn't include the child/young person".
Talks about the CA 1980 and the "welfare principle" and how practise falls behind intention.
"The problem is that decision making still lies with the professional and doesn't include the child/young person".
Policies.
The National Association of Young People In Care was the first organisation run for and by YP in or ex care. We started in 1979 in Bradford and London (I was in the London Office). These policies were based on NAYPIC members views at the time.
The National Association of Young People In Care was the first organisation run for and by YP in or ex care. We started in 1979 in Bradford and London (I was in the London Office). These policies were based on NAYPIC members views at the time.
1) Rules, punishments & discipline (excerpt only):
"Young People should have a say in how the home is run and what form of rues & punishment are alowed"
"Young People should have a say in how the home is run and what form of rues & punishment are alowed"
2) Forms of Control (excerpt):
"Young People should learn their responsibilities and self control by having a greater involvement in the running of their own home and in their own lives. Residential Care workers are indespensible in this".
"Young People should learn their responsibilities and self control by having a greater involvement in the running of their own home and in their own lives. Residential Care workers are indespensible in this".
3) Privacy & personal Freedom (excerpt):
"Everybody, despite their race, sex or outside appearance, should be treated equally".
"Everybody, despite their race, sex or outside appearance, should be treated equally".
4) Files.
"All young people should have the right to read information kept on them."
"All young people should have the right to read information kept on them."
5) Fostering (policy only here):
"Local Authorities should not put young people with Foster Parents, siimply because it is cheaper than keeping them in a residential home."
Fostering was replacing children's homes at the time and many enthusiastic LA's closed them all down.
"Local Authorities should not put young people with Foster Parents, siimply because it is cheaper than keeping them in a residential home."
Fostering was replacing children's homes at the time and many enthusiastic LA's closed them all down.
6) Education. (Excerpt, policy only):
"Social Services have the responsibility, regardless of age or status, of maintaing the young person through further education".
"Social Services have the responsibility, regardless of age or status, of maintaing the young person through further education".
7) Race, Sex and Disablement:
These are the very first Officially documented views raised by the care experienced from within the membership about racism, sexism & disabled issues within fostering/children's homes settings. We raised these as serious issues before any one else.
These are the very first Officially documented views raised by the care experienced from within the membership about racism, sexism & disabled issues within fostering/children's homes settings. We raised these as serious issues before any one else.
8) Sexual Abuse.
A decade before the world beacme aware that paedophile rings ran children's & foster homes the NAYPIC membership were speaking up about it. It was not easy to do so. The scale of the problem was far greater than we could imagine (and included boys as victims).
A decade before the world beacme aware that paedophile rings ran children's & foster homes the NAYPIC membership were speaking up about it. It was not easy to do so. The scale of the problem was far greater than we could imagine (and included boys as victims).
9) Handicapped young people:
This was before we understood not to use that word. The NAYPIC members were acutely aware of the appalling lack of rights for people with health conditions or impairments in care. As well as non visual impairments.
This was before we understood not to use that word. The NAYPIC members were acutely aware of the appalling lack of rights for people with health conditions or impairments in care. As well as non visual impairments.
10) Complaints.
The one area that the Children's Act 1989 let us down in. A formal complaints system in 1989 would have ensured that many young people saw justice and their Abusers charged and prosecuted in the 1990s and beyond. A Complaints system is a vital safeguard.
The one area that the Children's Act 1989 let us down in. A formal complaints system in 1989 would have ensured that many young people saw justice and their Abusers charged and prosecuted in the 1990s and beyond. A Complaints system is a vital safeguard.
11) Leaving Care:
NAYPIC had many ex care people supporting, advocating for others. We were the first to run ex care groups (Care Leavers) and to support the needs for people after care. This, at a time when NO post care support was available.
NAYPIC had many ex care people supporting, advocating for others. We were the first to run ex care groups (Care Leavers) and to support the needs for people after care. This, at a time when NO post care support was available.
!2) Leaving Care Policy:
I think one major POSITIVE change since those days is that today we can include every person - regardless of age - as a Care Leaver. The people who have the least data on them and in my view need special poicies & support would be the aged Care Leaver.
I think one major POSITIVE change since those days is that today we can include every person - regardless of age - as a Care Leaver. The people who have the least data on them and in my view need special poicies & support would be the aged Care Leaver.
13) Support & Financial Assistance after Leaving Care:
"As a group NAYPIC is greatly concened about the awful things that happen to young people once they are out of care".
"As a group NAYPIC is greatly concened about the awful things that happen to young people once they are out of care".
14) Conclusion. (Excerpt only):
"Any Child Care policies which are made must involve those who are affected by them".
"Any Child Care policies which are made must involve those who are affected by them".
Charter for Children's Rights:
The genesis for the growth of NAYPIC were a series of meetings held in the 1970s called WHO CARES. It was run by the @ncbtweets. This charter for the care experienced goes back to 1975 and was updated by us in 1981 - it is like our Magna Carta.
The genesis for the growth of NAYPIC were a series of meetings held in the 1970s called WHO CARES. It was run by the @ncbtweets. This charter for the care experienced goes back to 1975 and was updated by us in 1981 - it is like our Magna Carta.
Participation:
NAYPIC proved highly influential within social work practise, in academia, LA adminstration & Government. Professonials looked to gauge our views as the bechmark for good practise and transformation. @BASW_UK agreed with our policies & Report conclusions.
NAYPIC proved highly influential within social work practise, in academia, LA adminstration & Government. Professonials looked to gauge our views as the bechmark for good practise and transformation. @BASW_UK agreed with our policies & Report conclusions.
NAYPIC stood alone in a landscape that today sees many advocacy groups, outlets, pathways & opportunities for the #cep. It's power lay as a grassroots org with local groups & a national body to represent it; the views of the care experienced were filtered through one mechanism -
Many of the Organisations that exist today do so because of the efforts of NAYPIC and Who Cares. There is no better way to support the care community in my view, to reach those in care and raise them up than by allowing them to represent themselves, enable self determination.
