Deeds Not Just Words

From left: Anya sizer deputy cabinet lead for send and early years, Deputy Mayor Bramble, Janet Daby MP and Dawn Carter-McDonald, Chief Exec Hackney

“We are incredibly proud of the achievements of our care leavers, many of whom have had to overcome experiences of trauma, abuse or neglect. We know that many care experienced young people overcome incredible challenges, which can make it difficult to take part in education, training and employment, or to maintain interpersonal relationships.

We believe that our corporate parenting duties do not end once a young person reaches a certain age, and we as councillors need to continue to do everything in our power to support our care leavers as they begin their independent journey into adulthood. This is part of our 2022 manifesto commitment that set out our promise to ensure that we have a solid leaving care plan for our young people, codesigned with them to best respond to their specific needs and concerns.”

My statement marked the announcement of our own Care charter here in the borough alongside a motion that committed us as a council to a series of ongoing decisions and actions . A charter that committed to equality of access , challenging prejudice and to work with all our care leavers intersectionality and proactively .

                                         Deeds not just words.

The Labour party Manifesto 2024 stated clearly a similar intention:

 “We will work with local Gov to support  all children in care”

Then in October 2024 Janet Daby MP and minister for Children families and wellbeing  stated that the children's wellbeing bill would incorporate and include support for all care leavers.

Likewise the Local Government association has produced its own report entitled “ supporting care leavers a whole council approach” which follows through their own stated intention by calling for multi faceted support ranging from finances to housing, education travel and leisure . A systemic commitment to ensure equality of care and an opening up of opportunities to all our children within the care system

The Local Government Association alongside numerous councils, has recognized the critical need to transform the experiences of care leavers. This however goes beyond superficial changes; there is a concerted effort to address the fundamental reasons why their welfare is paramount through a significant part of this initiative calling for care leavers to be officially recognized as a protected characteristic under the law. 

This designation would provide legal safeguards against discrimination and ensure they have equal opportunities and access to support, reflecting society's acknowledgment of their unique challenges and vulnerabilities.  The push for protected characteristic status aims to embed systemic change and create a society that better understands and proactively supports care leavers, acknowledging that their experiences often lead to distinct needs and barriers.

To date over  90 councils have signed up and we as a council have committed to lobbying central Government and keeping this vital discussion on the agenda.

Next steps for us in Hackney  will see the opening of a new care leavers hub through the transformation of what was once a council training centre  into a new space, in which Hackney's care leavers can come together to access support from a range of multi-agency professionals, as well as each other. 

In other words a specific practical implication of council priorities to ensure that the needs of all Care leavers are not just listened to but met with robust ongoing commitment .

Words will always signal a wider message of intent . For us at Hackney council , along with many others in politics , the voluntary sector and the public at large we will state it again and again . Those who have had experience of the care system deserve our support and help . We will use our words and subsequent actions to reinforce that commitment .

Guest Blog by Cllr Anntoinette Bramble: Deputy Mayor of Hackney Borough Council and Chair of LGA Labour