Suitable luggage for kids in care

Central Bedfordshire Council has responded to a campaign by the charity ‘A National Voice’ by signing up to a new charter which guarantees that children in care will have their belongings stored and transported in suitable luggage.

Representatives from the Central Bedfordshire Children in Care Council met with Chief Executive Richard Carr and Director of Children’s Services Edwina Grant and Executive member for Children’s Services Cllr Mark Versallion to sign the ‘No Bin Bags Charter’. They explained how distressing it is for children in care if this is how their belongings are transported between placement moves.

Cllr Versallion said: “I am extremely pleased to sign this charter. It is the Council’s formal commitment to a policy which Children’s Services already firmly embrace – that children’s belongings are special and deserve better treatment than being packed in plastic bin liners.

“Meeting regularly with our children in care, I am conscious of the need to ensure that the transition between care placements is a smooth and settled one. This is a significant way of showing our commitment to supporting children under the Council’s care.”

The Children in Care Council is a group of local young people who use their experience of time in care to improve services for other young people and children. They routinely meet with the Chief Executive and Director of Children’s Services twice a year to give feedback on services for Looked After Children and Care Leavers.

Edwina Grant said: “It was a pleasure to meet with the young people and hear their experiences, which are valuable in helping us to enhance the services we provide.”

More than 75 per cent of local authorities in the country have now signed the charter showing their commitment to this important issue.