Voice empowerment and participation

For children in care and care leavers.

Your voice matters.

We want to hear from you! Voice Empowerment Work (VEW) is all about making sure that the services you use are shaped by your:

  • views
  • experiences
  • ideas

We listen to what you say and use it to improve support for children in care and care leavers across Hampshire.

Here are some of the ways to get involved. Choose what works best for you.

Hampshire Care Council

The Hampshire Care Council is a safe and supportive group where young people with care experience can:

  • share their thoughts
  • talk about what’s working (and what’s not)
  • help to make changes

We're youth-led, which means young people have a say in what happens. We give care-experienced young people a voice and help improve life for others in care.

How you can get involved

You can get involved if you are:

  • aged 14–25
  • a child in care or care leaver

You can choose to take part in a way that works best for you, whether it's talking one-to-one, working in a group, attending events, creative activities or more, we'll work in a way that suits your needs.

If you want to know more, email the Voice Empowerment Worker: [email protected].

Corporate Parenting Board (CPB)

The Corporate Parenting Board is a group of councillors, professionals and care-experienced young people. They work together to make sure children in care and care leavers get the best support.

The CPB:

  • listen to young people’s views
  • check how well services are working
  • make decisions to improve outcomes

This helps the council meet its responsibilities to young people in care and care leavers.

How you can get involved

Some young people are supported to share their views with the Board in a way that feels comfortable and safe.

If you want to know more, email the Voice Empowerment Worker: [email protected].

Challenge Card

A Challenge Card is a simple way to tell us:

  • something that isn’t working
  • something that could be better
  • your idea for change

How to use a Challenge Card

Anyone can use a Challenge Card. You can write your idea yourself or ask someone to help you. Or you can share it in a way that works for you.

If you want to know more, email the Voice Empowerment Worker: [email protected].

What happens next

Your feedback will be shared with the Care Council or Board. We will use it to improve services.

If you leave your details, we will let you know what has changed. This is called “You said, we did”.

Voice Empowerment Worker

A Voice Empowerment Worker helps to make sure young people are:

  • listened to
  • involved
  • supported to share their views

They can:

  • meet you at home, school, college or in the community
  • support you to join activities
  • help you share your views in a way that works for you
  • make sure you are listened to
  • feedback what has changed

They work in a way that is:

  • trauma-informed
  • inclusive
  • young person-centred

Contact

If you would like to talk to someone or get involved with any of the activities mentioned, contact Nick Glover at: [email protected].