Children in Care Pledge

Tuesday night's Full Council will also hear a presentation from the Head of Social Care in Reading, Karen Reeve and an excellent Looked After Child who has driven the Children in Care Pledge that requires all Councillors to be aware of their responsibilities as corporate parents for Reading children in care. The Children in Care Pledge, written by the Children In Care Council makes a commitment to children in being involved in decisions that affect their lives, Permanence and having the best available place to live that is safe, valued and cared for,having the best education at school or college, achieving the best results possible, having opportunities outside of school by assisting children and young people in care to have influence over decisions on relationships and activities. The pledge also commits to giving all the advice and support the children and young people need to help them become independent.

There are a lot of good practice within Reading that helps Children in Care to achieve their best and feel valued. There are also practices that we need to put in place to improve the life chances of children as many struggle with school, home life and relationships and may feel isolated by the system and situation they are placed in. I believe the Children in Care Pledge will go a long way to improve the life chances of Children in Care and give them influence in the decisions that affect their lives.