Council to ensure no child in its care faces discrimination
MOVE TO MAKE EXPERIENCE A ‘PROTECTED CHARACTERISTIC’
LEICESTERSHIRE County Council has agreed to ensure no child in its care faces discrimination.
Councillors unanimously agreed at a meeting that the impact on children and young people in care, as well as care leavers, should always be considered when making decisions and developing services and policies.
The council agreed to ensure children in its care will “face less of a disadvantage in life”.
The policy will work in a similar way to the Equality Act 2010, where it is against the law to discriminate against anyone because of age, race or disability for example, known as “protected characteristics”.
The council joins 80 other local authorities which have also voted to make care experience a protected characteristic.
This includes discrimination which results in higher negative outcomes across a range of areas such as employment, education and exposure to the criminal justice system.
The council currently supports 728 children in care and 442 care leavers aged 18 to 25 years.
The decision will also mean that those who have experienced care in Leicestershire over this age will also benefit from the recognition of care experience as a protected characteristic.
Councillor Deborah Taylor, pictured, county council cabinet member for children and families who proposed the motion, said: “We have a responsibility to provide the best possible care for the young people we care for.
“We want to make sure that our children get the same opportunities in education, employment, housing and more as other young people.
“However, we know that people who have been in care are more likely to face disadvantage and discrimination in life.
“I’m proud to have been part of this motion to make sure that no child with care experience is discriminated against, and that they have every opportunity to live fulfilling and successful lives without barriers.”
Dan, a Leicestershire care leaver, said: “It means a lot because we’ll be taken more seriously when we are in certain situations, because professionals will listen to us.”