Children in Care Council

**The Children in Care Council **

The Children in Care Council is made up of children in care and care leavers from Sutton, aged between 11 and 25. We have a junior group for children aged 11-16 (Children under the age of 11 are always welcome ), a senior group for young people aged 17 to 25, and a group for unaccompanied asylum seeking young people who are looked after by Sutton. 

Sutton is committed to giving children looked after and care leavers a voice that can be heard throughout the Council.

What does it do?

Both groups aim to represent the voice of children and young people in care, generating new ideas to improve services for them in Sutton. Members of the Care Council often take part in paid work experience projects, such as interviewing new social workers as part of Sutton’s recruitment process.

Most importantly, members of the Children in Care Council are responsible for presenting their views and ideas to senior management and local councillors at Sutton’s Corporate Parenting Forum. (Corporate Parenting refers to the collective responsibility of all council departments, elected members, and partner agencies—such as health and education providers—to provide the best possible care for the children and young people in Sutton’s care.) The Children in Care Council meetings provide an opportunity to discuss activities they want Sutton to promote for them.

When does it meet?

The Care Leavers Council is open to all young people, with monthly meetings held at the Quad . These meetings take place from 4:00 to 6:00 PM, and all young people in care or care-experienced are invited to attend.

Take part

If you’d like to get involved with the Care Council, please get in touch with your social worker or personal adviser or our Participation Officer (mailto:martina.clarke@sutton.gov.uk)