The Children's Society in Lancashire
Location
Acting Programme Manager: Joanna Hunt
Established in May 2000, we work with children and young people who are or have been in the care of Lancashire County Council. We were formerly known as Lancashire Children’s Rights.
Our aim is to ensure the rights of these children and young people are protected and that their needs are met through the best services possible.
Referral
Young people can refer themselves to our services or be referred by another agency. We will not start working with a young person unless they are fully aware of the referral. Please contact us for a referral form and let us know if you need help to complete it.
Open access
We operate an open access policy to ensure the children and young people we work with have access to all the information stored about them. This means that any information we are given regarding a child or young person will be available to them.
Advocacy
Supports children and young people in care to have a say about what happens in their lives. All young people in the care of Lancashire County Council aged 0 – 18 years are eligible for the service including those living at home or with friends and extended family.
An advocate is there to listen to what the child or young person has to say and what they wish to happen. An advocate can support in various ways, these are just a few of them:
- Attending reviews / meetings with or on behalf of the child or young person.
- Helping with placement issues
- Discussing contact arrangements with family members
- Making complaints
- Providing information
Independent Visitors
This service contributes to the welfare of a child or young person by promoting their developmental, social, emotional, educational, religious or cultural needs. All young people in the care of Lancashire County Council aged 0- 18 years are eligible for an independent visitor.
Independent Visitors (IVs) are carefully selected volunteers who make an open ended commitment to befriend a child or young person and establish a trusting relationship. They receive training, ongoing support and regular supervision.
What they do
- Visit the child or young person every fortnight, away from the home
- Plan activities to do together to help develop the relationship.
LACES
Looking Ahead…. Careers and Employability Scheme
Aims to improve the employability prospects for young people, aged 16 – 21, who are or have been in the care of Lancashire County Council, by enabling them to experience the world of work. The scheme helps the young person to learn new skills, gain valuable experience and develop their self-confidence.
Street Safe Lancashire
This service supports children and young people, both boys and girls, at risk of sexual exploitation and missing from home across Lancashire. We also challenge public perception and professional responses to this group of children and young people through awareness raising and training sessions.