In Slough our Care Council is made up of two groups, Reach Out! is for young people looked after aged 11+ and Space2talk is for our care experienced young people aged 16 – 24.
All of our care experienced children and young people can get involved in different forums, groups and activities that each give you the opportunity to tell Slough Children First how services can be made better for the future.
The Reach Out! and Space2talk groups meet up regularly at a venue in Slough to discuss issues that are affecting children in care and care leavers – and to have fun!
Reach Out! and Space2talk provide children and young people with opportunities to:
- Have a say on the issues that matter to you and be heard
- Share ideas on how things could be improved and suggest new ideas
- Influence real changes to the services and support you receive
- Meet the professionals who can make a change
- Make new friends and have fun.
Children and young people who get involved in the Reach Out! or Space2talk groups see their role as representing all the children and young people who are looked after by Slough Children First.
By getting involved you also have the opportunity to meet with senior managers from Slough Children First and will also represent the issues, views and comments of Slough’s care experienced children and young people at something called the ‘Corporate Parent Panel’.
Get involved
Being part of the Care Council is not all about the Reach Out! and Space2talk groups. It is also an opportunity to get to know other children and young people, take part in projects to create new resources (booklets, leaflets, films, animations) for care experienced children and young people and help us to plan events such as the celebration day.
If you don’t want to get involved in a care council group there are still lots of opportunities you can take part in such as interview panels to recruit people who want to work for Slough Children First, and attend national events where you get to meet up with other care experienced young people from across the UK. Throughout the year, we will also be touch with you to hear your views on other things, for example, are we keeping the promises we make to you in the Pledge to Children in Care.
Click here to read more about the different activities you can take part in.
Check out these newsletters to read what children and young people have got involved in and how their views have made a difference:
Reach Out Full Update APRIL2018
Reach out full update 2019
Reach Out update newsletter 2021
Get in touch
To find out more about getting involved in the care council or any of the other activities you can:
Call: 01753 477333
Text or WhatsApp: 07591 990111
If you are aged 16-24 you should complete the Consent form for care experienced young people to hear lots more about the different ways you can have your say!
Useful contacts
- Office of the Children’s Commissioner: The Children’s Commissioner for England is responsible for promoting and protecting the rights of children and young people, and making sure their voices are listened to. The Office of the Children’s Commissioner can provide help and advice to young people in care, care leavers living away from home in care or living at home with support from social services.
