Are you aged between 8 – 21 and in care? Do you want to make a difference? If you want to get involved - contact the Children in Care Council!

The Children in Care Council (CiCC) aims to improve the lives of children and young people in the care of Bedford Borough Council by campaigning on their behalf, creating projects and events and by working together with Bedford Borough Council and the Corporate Parenting Partnership Group.

Bedford Borough Council works with the Children in Care Council on the promises within the ipledge aiming to improve the lives of children and young people in care together.

What will you do?

Have Fun! Make a difference! Meet other children and young people! The CiCC (13+) and Junior CiCC (8 – 12s) meet once a month to have their say, take part in fun activities, find out what other children and young people think and make changes to improve the lives of children and young people in care.

If you want to find out more or to get involved please email us to cicc@bedford.gov.uk, call us on 01234 718388 or download and return our flyer (right)

What did we do in 2013

• Attended the Children in Care Regional Meeting in February meeting other young people from across the East of England
• Organised the Achievement Awards in May 2013 for 60+ children and young people in a James Bond style with shaken not stirred mocktails, a chance to sit in an Aston Martin car, magician, music, cup cakes and of course lots of awards!
• Gave out awards to carers in the Foster Carers Awards in May 2013
• Attended the Youth Voice Convention in London in July meeting young people from different projects (in care and not in care) from London, the South East and East of England
• Created a training session for carers, social workers and other adults about the rights of the child in June
• Interviewed for a new Head of Service in social care in July
• Monthly meetings for Junior CiCC and CiCC including cooking, forest skills, circus skills, arts and games
• Monthly consultations for Junior CiCC and CiCC looking at reviews, health, education, family life and being in care
• Summer fun – trips to Hazard Alley, Woburn Safari Park, Forest Skills, Hoodie making, Battlefield Live and Zoolabs

“ I enjoy being part of the CiCC as I enjoy meeting new people and I get the opportunity to try and be involved in different tasks, like interviews and presentations. We always ensure that are our views and other young peoples views are heard. I have become more confident and built up good team working skills; I am passionate about making the lives of other young people in care better and want to make sure they are being listened to. We have the support of workers and other young people and so nothing that we do is too difficult once we set our mind to it! ” CiCC member

Without the support of a small group of foster carers in Bedfordshire the Association cannot support you properly.  Working directly, with two Local Authorities is likely to increase some of the work that we do to support our carer members. In some cases that you may not be aware of is that we have either been under represented or not represented at all, at some of the important, but ‘behind the scenes’ meetings including Central Bedfordshire’s Corporate Parenting Panel. The committee is concerned that without more members we will not be able to cover everything that we want to do and also that the views of what is only a handful of Bedfordshire foster carers will not be representative of everyone who carers for Bedfordshire children.

With this in mind we are seeking volunteers to become involved in some of the work that we do. Our volunteers do not need to become involved in everything, but anything that you can do would be much appreciated. Please contact us for more information.