Looked after children (health and wellbeing needs in South Tyneside)

Corporate Parenting Strategy

South Tyneside Council is the corporate parent to our children and young people in care, the strategy seeks to make sure that the young people it looks after grow up with the same opportunities as other young people and go on to live successful and fulfilling lives.

In consultation with our looked after children and young people, the Corporate Strategy has been refreshed for 2017. The focus of the strategy is on placement choice and stability: young people know who they will live with and experience stable placements. They will have good relationships with those involved in their care.

Independent visitors for Children Looked After

This is a service for young people who may have little or no contact with significant persons such as family and friends. Where a young person is identified as such the Independent Reviewing Officer can recommend that the social worker make a referral to the Independent Visitors scheme which is managed through NEPACS. NEPACS will marry up the needs and interests of the young person with a volunteer and the young person will take the lead in terms of what can be offered, this might simply be participating in an activity once a month outside their normal routines.

To volunteer, see Independent Visitor Scheme: Volunteer.

For more information see, Independent visitor service.

National Youth Advocacy Service (NYAS)

The NYAS is commissioned by the authority to provide independent advocacy. The NYA works as part of a regional framework to ensure children and young people:

• have a say in decisions made about their lives;
• are able to share their concerns about their circumstances;
• are listened to and heard;
• are treated fairly in the course of their contact with the Council.

Engagement and Participation Service

The Participation and Engagement service works to ensure that children and young people are involved in all decisions affecting their choices and lives. South Tyneside's Engagement Strategy builds capability across the services, so that we can hear and respond to the voices and views of children and their families.