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Three guides have been produced, along with the people affected, giving information to children and young people in the care system.
VOYPIC, the Voice Of Young People In Care, has launched three new guides to give information to Northern Ireland’s 2,500 young people at different stages of the care system.
VOYPIC director, Vivian McConvey, and Alicia Toal, policy co-ordinator, launch the new guides
Financed by the Children and Young People’s Fund, the guides on entering care (under tens), living in care (11-15 year olds) and leaving care (16 plus) have been created in consultation with children and young people affected.
The user-friendly guides are a response to last year’s report Care Matters in Northern Ireland – a Bridge to a Better Future by the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety. It proposed improvements in health, education, career opportunities and recreational opportunities for young people in care.
Vivian McConvey, director at VOYPIC, told the launch:
Children and young people would say that they don’t understand why they came into care. It may have been the most traumatic event in their life. Holding, retaining and understanding information when in crisis is practically impossible. You need time, continual explanations and the right information to help the discussions.”
He said young people have been involved in all stages of the project over the last year and the guides offered what they asked for – clear, accessible and age-appropriate information to help guide them through a care system which can be confusing and difficult.
We hope these guides will help young people understand their rights, answer their questions and generally help them to cope with change and feelings of isolation. This is especially important for the under-ten age group as previously there was very limited information available at all for children entering care,” he added.
The guides will be available to children and young people through their foster carers, social workers, residential homes and VOYPIC staff. VOYPIC is also launching an online version of the guides in early summer, which will allow children and young people to access up to date information in a more attractive and accessible format.
VOYPIC is a not for profit organisation representing the views and experiences of the 2,500+ ‘looked after’ children and young people in Northern Ireland and is committed to putting their voice at the heart of all decision making processes. It offers advocacy, participation and policy services.
For more information visit www.voypic.org or ring the charity on 028 9024 4888.
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