Council launches pledge to children in care

Gail Hopper, Director of Children’s Services and Councillor Donna Martin, Cabinet Member for Children’s, Schools and Families

Rochdale Borough Council has created the borough’s first pledge to looked-after children, outlining 21 different ways in which they can expect support from social workers and foster parents.

The document, titled Rochdale’s Pledge, describes how the council will help children and young people achieve positive outcomes in key areas of their lives, including health, family, education and home life.

The pledge was launched at an event on Monday 9 December at Rochdale Town Hall, where children involved in developing the document were awarded certificates of appreciation by Councillor Donna Martin, Cabinet Member for Children, Schools and Families.

Government guidance requires every local authority to set out a pledge to children and young people in its care. Rochdale’s Pledge includes commitments to celebrate each young person’s accomplishments, encourage them to achieve the best they can in school and help them access any help they might need.

The process began with a group of volunteer children in the council’s care being asked what they thought a good social worker or foster parent does. The group then worked with council workers from Young People’s Support, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services and Training and Development, as well as children’s rights advocates from the Children’s Society, to complete the pledge.

Councillor Martin said: “The children and young people in our care deserve the very best support and help, and the Rochdale Pledge sets out their expectations. Through this launch, we are reinforcing our commitment to hearing their voice.”