How Your Voice Is Making a Difference

What young people told us – and what we’re doing about it

Young people across Wakefield told CICC what’s important to them. Here’s how Wakefield Council are improving services in care, foster care, kinship care, residential homes and care leaver support — based on your priorities.

1. Better Emotional Wellbeing

What you said:

You want carers, workers and young people to get the right emotional support, at the right time.

What we’re doing:

• More wellbeing support for carers and workers so they can better support you.
• Drop‑ins with wellbeing teams at Warren Court.
• A new Emotional Wellbeing Worker just for care leavers.
• A Care Navigator who helps young people access the right health services (including when you’re out of area).
• Better matching and preparation before placements, so homes feel safer and more stable.
• Groups for carers (including male carers and baby carers) so they feel supported too.
• Kinship carers get 1:1 therapeutic parenting sessions and district‑wide support groups.
• Residential homes get regular wellbeing and CAMHS support.
• Access to leisure centres and gym memberships.
• Safe warm spaces and groups where you can drop in if you’re feeling lonely.
• Use of Mind of My Own to share your thoughts and feelings anytime.
• Trauma‑informed and mental‑health‑trained staff across services.

2. Better Information and Communication

What you said:

You want clear information and to be kept in the loop.

What we’re doing:

• Writing plans, reports and updates directly to you, not about you.
• Using child‑friendly tools and life story work that you helped design.
• Launching the Foster Carer Portal so information is shared quicker and more clearly.
• Kinship workers attend Family Network Meetings early so families understand what’s happening from the start.
• Updated Local Offer and 16+ information packs.
• Clearer info about legal orders for kinship families.
• A full yearly events calendar so you know what’s happening and when.
• When your PA is away, you’ll still get support from duty staff.
• Advocacy available through VoiceAbility.
• Residential homes are creating video guides to make information easier to understand.

3. Better Support for Care Leavers

What you said:

You want support that actually helps when you’re becoming more independent.

What we’re doing:

• A stronger Staying Put offer so more young people can stay with their carers after 18.
• Better transition support between CIC and Next Steps teams.
• Mums’ groups, family network meetings and Team Around the Young Person meetings.
• Support with food banks, vouchers and help from charities.
• Clear routes into Higher Education.
• Lifelong Links so you stay connected with people who matter to you.
• Kinship support that helps young people stay in stable homes for longer.