Bridgend County Borough Council has agreed to further strengthen the rights of children and young people who have been supported by the care system.
A motion calling for them to have protected characteristics was put before the April meeting of full Council by the Deputy Leader, Cllr Jane Gebbie where it was unanimously agreed by all members.
Under the motion, the council recognises how care-experienced people face significant barriers which can affect their entire lives, and that while they are often naturally resilient, they can face discrimination and stigma in areas such as housing, health, education, relationships, employment and within the criminal justice system.
With a collective responsibility for safeguarding and providing them with the best possible care, the council also has a role in mentoring and championing care-experienced children and young people, and to challenge negative attitudes and prejudice against them.
Cllr Gebbie said: “Bridgend County Borough Council has already signed up to the Corporate Parenting Charter In Wales, and the Children and Young People’s Education Committee at the Senedd Welsh Parliament has previously recommended that care experience becomes a protected characteristic within UK legislation.
“With a Bridgend Corporate Parenting Strategy already in place, this motion strengthens and protects our existing commitment towards care experienced children and young people, and I am delighted to see that it has gained unanimous cross-party support.”
Supporting the motion, Cllr Rhys Goode, Cabinet Member for Housing, Planning and Regeneration, added: “I believe that Bridgend County Borough Council is the second local authority in Wales to confirm its support for establishing protected characteristics for care-experienced people, and that this support is growing.
“I hope that this important issue continues to gain national traction, and that it ultimately results in an amendment to the Equalities Act so that the real impact can be experienced across the whole of UK society.”
The motion in full:
- That the council recognises that care experienced people are a group who are likely to face discrimination.
- That the council has a duty to put the needs of disadvantaged people at the heart of decision-making through co-production and collaboration.
- That future decisions, services and policies made and adopted by the council should be assessed through Equality Impact Assessments to determine the impact of changes on care-experienced people as well as those who formally share a protected characteristic.
- That in delivering its Public Sector Equality duty, the council includes care experience in the publication and review of equality objectives, and the annual publication of information relating to people who share a protected characteristic in services and employment.
- To formally call upon all other bodies to treat care experience as a protected characteristic until such time as it may be introduced by legislation.
- That the council should continue to proactively seek out and listen to the voices of care experienced people when developing new policies based on their views.
You can find out more and view a recording of the meeting by visiting the Council agenda page at www.bridgend.gov.uk