Agenda item

Considered

A report from the Care Experience as a Protected Characteristic Task and Finish Group, presented by Maggie Allen, Team Manager Leaving Care and Jonny Hoyle, Developmental Lead Child Permanence Family Reunion.

Maggie and Jonny gave a summary of the report that had been included in the agenda papers and thanked the task and finish group for their contributions.  Members of the committee had a number of questions:

If training is being developed for all Council officers and Councillors to help them understand care experience, could this training also be made available to businesses across the county?

As part of our wider offer, we already work with partners to help inform them about the barriers, challenges and stigma for people from a care experienced background. We are happy to explore more opportunities to work with a wider network.

Do the NHS or any universities recognise care experienced as a protected characteristic?

Since this is not national legislation, it is not formally recognised, but some partners do a lot of good work to support care experienced young people. For example, the NHS recognise that care experienced apprentices don’t always have the support of their parents and offer a free lunch pass to care experienced apprentices working at sites that have an on-site canteen. By creating the right environment for someone to sit with their team and eat together, without fear that they can’t afford lunch, they create the right environment for people to get to know each other and support each other.

Is there more information around the cost implications of recognising care experience as a protected characteristic?

From a staffing perspective, an officer within Children’s Services will be appointed to lead on the implementation and this will be absorbed into their “day to day” work.  It is difficult to say what the overall cost will be.

Is there any data from other Councils who are already recognising care experience as a protected characteristic?

We have contacted several Councils and asked for data but so far, none have responded.  The national picture is that some Councils have been more proactive than others in demonstrating meaningful change.

If a young person chooses to not declare themselves a care experienced, can they change their mind later?

The protected characteristic can be declared as and when the young person chooses to and not everyone will declare. Adopting this characteristic will protect them in the same way as other equality characteristics.    As a Corporate Parent, we should be supporting them as much as possible.

It was agreed that it is better to use the word “equity” rather than “equality” as some people need more support than others.

The Committee agreed that it was an excellent and thorough report, especially within the short timescales. They especially welcomed the opinions from young people and thanked them for their contribution. If the policy is adopted, Members recognised the importance of collating data to measure the impact. Jonny explained that the Council is working with the Health Determinants Research Collaboration (HDRC), and they would be able to produce the relevant data. 

Members acknowledged that the Council’s current financial situation should be taken into consideration and if the policy was adopted, positive meaningful change would have to be demonstrated. 

It was pointed out that the Government is in the process of making changes to Children’s Services and they may introduce legislation that recognises care experience as a protected characteristic. If North Yorkshire Council adopt the policy before this happens, would it mean that we would have to implement it twice? Would it be better to lobby Government?  Members agreed that we can adopt the policy and lobby at the same time.

The Chair thanked Maggie and Jonny for their very comprehensive Task and Finish Group report.

Taking into consideration the options highlighted at paragraph 6.1 of the covering report presented in the agenda pack, a proposal was put forward to Agree the Motion and that no further information is required.

A vote was taken, and it was agreed unanimously.

Resolved

a)    That, the report is noted.

b)    That, the Committee recommend that no further information is required and that they unanimously Agree the Motion to formally recognise care experience as a protected characteristic to go to Full Council on 26 February 2025.

c)     That, a progress report is brought back to the Children and Families Overview and Scrutiny Committee a year after the policy has been implemented.  The report should include how the policy has made an impact on care experienced people and include some financial data.