Presentation from Ruth Barry, Senior Policy Officer, VOYPIC at UNESCO Centre ESRC Festival Seminar on Youth Participation in Northern Ireland, Wednesday 5th November 2014

1. Social participation of
children and young people
in care
Ruth Barry
5 November 2014

2. VOYPIC is….
…a charity working across Northern
Ireland promoting the rights and
improving the lives of children and
young people cared for away from
home

3. VOYPIC’s VISION
That all children and young people who
are cared for away from home will have
• A voice at the heart of all decision making
• A meaningful say in their lives
• Their rights fully respected
• The opportunity to realise their full potential
in whatever way they choose

4. Our Life in Care CASI survey
• Three year pilot survey
• An independent survey of views and
experiences of children in care
• 333 children & young people

5. Aims & outcomes of CASI
• Partnerships with HSC Trusts
• Local research for policy development
• Increase public awareness
• Represent children & young people in
policy, practice and legislative forums

6. What is CASI?
• Computer Assisted Self Interview (CASI)
survey done online or offline
• Inclusive and voluntary
• Three age appropriate questionnaires:
8 – 11, 12 – 15 and 16 – 18
• Accessible, anonymous and fun

7. Who took part?
• Three years, 333 children and young people
• Overall, 24% aged 8-11, 45% aged 12-15 &
31% aged 16 and over
• 68% were living in foster care, 25% residential
care, 3% at home in care & 4% other
placements

8. OLC key findings 2013
CARE & PATHWAY PLANNING - over 12s
•37% know “completely” about plans made
•29% “completely” agree with decisions
•
•27% have a copy of their care plan

9. CARE & PATHWAY PLANNING - over 16s
• 44% can talk to their PA about what’s
happening in their lives
• 22% don’t know “at all” about their pathway
plan
• 16% have a copy of their pathway plan
• 31% completely agree with decisions

10. Relationships & support
• 48.5% have had four or more social workers
since coming into care
• 83% see their current social worker once a
month or more
• 88% have an adult they can trust
• 87% have good friends

11. Education
• 90% in education/training/employment
• 69% never miss or dodge school
• 22% out of school for more than three
months
• 41% of them got help to return
• 76% of over 12s out of education for more
than three months were living in children's
homes

12. OLC 2013 launch
• Report launched in Sept 2014
• Young people’s participation in launch:
- Filmed & produced VOXPOPS
- Young rep joint MC with CEO
- present findings
- Co- facilitated roundtable discussions

15. Q & A