Protecting children and young people
Wednesday 22 February 2023
Sunderland's care experienced young people are receiving more protection against discrimination.
Together for Children (TfC) and the City Council who oversee children's services have now adopted 'protected characteristics'.
Young people in care and those with experience of being cared for now have the same legal protection from discrimination as other characteristics in the Equality Act, such as age, sex, race, sexual orientation and religion.
In the 12 months to April 2022, more than 700 children aged under 17 experienced care in Sunderland and at the beginning of this year there were 226 young people aged between 17 and 25 with cared for experience.
Sunderland has now joined other authorities across the UK who have voluntarily brought this protection in for care experienced young people. It follows a national Independent Review of Children's Social Care which recommended care experience should be a 'protected characteristic', and feedback from young people in Sunderland.
The official adoption was agreed by the City Council with a Notice of Motion proposed by Cabinet Member for Children, Learning and Skills, Councillor Louise Farthing, and seconded by Councillor John Price.
Cllr Farthing said: "Those who are or have been cared for can face inequalities in life with discrimination, stigma and prejudice against them.
"Nobody should experience this when they dealing with housing, health, education, relationships, employment, or the criminal justice system. Our work to prevent discrimination is now stepped-up with this protection."
Cllr Farthing chairs the city's Corporate Parenting Board which hears representation and feedback from the Change Council which consults young people with experience of being cared for.
She added: "Young people on the Change Council raised this matter and were very aware of how this could help change make a positive difference, and that is very important. We are committed to listening and hearing the voices of children and young people, and we are always considering their needs. We have always been champions for our children and now with this protected characteristic we help challenge the negative attitudes and prejudice that some may still have."
TfC's chief officer Jill Colbert OBE said: "This move to protected characteristics is very much part of the improvement journey that our city's children's services continues to make. We continue to listen, to adapt and ensure that our young people have every opportunity to fulfil and realise their potential. It's a move that's being welcomed and recognised by our cared for children and everyone who works in children's services.
"Recognising 'care experienced' as a protected characteristic raises the voices of those most in need and shows our lifelong commitment to cared-for young people who are approaching adulthood. This is a very strong signal that our young people continue to be supported, valued and that their voices are heard."
Young people on the Change Council have welcomed the move. They said:
"Hearing that care experienced is now an protected characteristic makes me feel proud of all the hard work that Change Council have done to get this far! We just want young people to feel like they matter and not just feeling like they're an object! All of us matter and I'm proud that the council have officially agreed for care experience to be a protected characteristic."
"Having cared for and care experienced as a protected characteristic shows just because of a different living situation and a few more meetings doesn't mean that we are any different from anyone else. Having this as a protected characteristic shows that we can't be discriminated for the things we can't change."
