1. What’s changed? – mapping the impact of participation activity
Name of organisation: Hampshire County Council - Care Action Team - Passport to Success
Contact: Morag Currie, email: morag.currie@hants.gov.uk
The issue raised by children and young people: Appropriate Accommodation
Evidence from Evidence of listening Evidence of planning Evidence of change
The Care Action Team (CAT) is a A multi-agency steering group was Where appropriate, HCC now
group of young people in and set up, chaired by one of the maintains foster care placements
Organisation leaving care who work alongside Children’s Services county until young people reach the age of
Hampshire County Council (HCC) managers. There is a care leaver 21.
to develop services for children & on the group.
families. Young people staying at foster
Issues raised have been fed into placements until they are 21 tend
They have worked together with the Departmental Management to be in further and/ or higher
others to develop the ‘Passport to Team and the Children’s Strategic education. CAT and the Passport
Success’. This is based on the Partnership – the Standing to Success highlighted that young
premise that the County Council is Conference. people need a secure base to
a corporate parent to the young return to, and being able to go
people who they have looked after. back to their foster parents has
Many issues were raised by the been of huge benefit. So where
Care Action Team. possible we try and accommodate
this. Young people definitely say
One of the issues that CAT raised that this adds to them being more
was about appropriate successful in their studies and
accommodation. takes the pressure off them.
In partnership with local housing
agencies, HCC has developed
supported lodging schemes.
The Department is represented on

2. the Supporting People Local Area
Panels and has helped to place
care leavers higher on the agenda.
‘In a consultation event – Big ‘I presented my ideas to the ‘Staying with the same foster
Brother leaves care - we said that Departmental Management Team carers enabled me to maintain my
Specific children the accommodation in which we and they’ve really taken on board place at university.’
and young were placed was often what I said.’
people inappropriate. Many of us were ‘If it wasn’t for my Personal Advisor
exposed to crime and drugs and (PA), I wouldn’t know how to go
we did not have access to quality about getting a flat and all the other
washing and cooking facilities. support I’m now getting.’
Furthermore, there weren’t enough
staff around to support us when we ‘My PA put me in touch with two
needed it.’ hostels and came to interviews
with me. I feel she did everything
Many young people wanted to be that she could to help me.’
able to live semi-independently
before full independent living.
The young people received a
Wavemakers Award in recognition
Other children of their achievements.
and young
people and the Judges said,
wider community ‘The breadth of good ideas in their
entirety showed how much this
project can benefit young people in
care – it is to be applauded.’
Improved outcomes for children and young people: making a positive contribution; enjoying and achieving; economic
wellbeing; staying safe