Child's Voice opportunities

In Rights and Participation, we have groups for our children in care and care experienced young people to be a part of. Together all these groups are called United and Unique – with the aim of ‘Empowering Minds of the Future’. Most of our groups meet at the Lighthouse Youth Centre in Aston, usually once a month. We provide taxis and transport for most of the groups. 

They provide an opportunity to: 

• Make friends. 
• Feel part of a wider community. 
• Have a voice and support the voice of others. 
• Make change. 
• Get paid and receive vouchers.
• Paid consultation opportunities.
• Be a presenter or deliver training at conferences and events. 
• Be on young people’s recruitment panels.  
• Be part of trips, socials, and fun activities.

Young people enjoy our groups and say they feel safe, they are not judged, and they have things in common with other people. In each half-term, all our groups meet up to have fun, as well as support co-production across the Trust and wider.  

Our Groups and Forums 

Children in Care council - CiCC (ages 12-18) 

The Children in Care Council (CiCC) is a working group of care experienced young people aged 12 to 18.  We undertake long-term projects and short pieces of work aimed at improving the lives Birmingham’s children in care. We also try to have some fun along the way.   

Contact Richard Taylor on 07825 318015 or Denishae Francis 07594 509983 or email: denishae.francis@birminghamchildrenstrust.co.uk 

Junior Children in Care Council - JCiCC (ages 8-11) 

The Junior Children in Care Council (JCiCC) is a group of young people aged 8-12 in the care of the Trust. We meet in person at The Lighthouse Young People’s Centre in Aston or online every 4-6 weeks to share ideas and work on projects to represent the voices. For in-person events and meetings, carers need to bring their young person to the venue and collect them afterwards. Online sessions are held on Microsoft Teams. 

Contact Laura Reed on 07704 539015 or email: laura.reed@birminghamchildrenstrust.co.uk or Denishae Francis on 07594 509983 or email: denishae.francis@birminghamchildrenstrust.co.uk 

SEN Children in Care Council - SENCiCC (age 12-18) and LGBTQ+ Children in Care council - LGBTQ+CiCC (age 12-18) 

We undertake long-term projects and short pieces of work aimed at improving the lives Birmingham’s in care community. The groups meets once a month at The Lighthouse Children and Young People’s Centre. Taxis are provided to and from each group session. We also try to have some fun along the way. It’s a safe place for young people to meet and get to know other young people in similar situations/backgrounds.

Both groups contact Rizwan Mohammed on 07510 369810 or email Rizwan.Mohammed@birminghamchildrenstrust.co.uk or Annalise Morgan on 07510 369965 or email Annalise.Morgan@birminghamchildrenstrust.co.uk.

Young Parents Project - YPP (for parents or expectant parents up to the age of 25) 

The Young Parents Project (YPP) aims to engage all children in care and care leavers aged 16-25 in positive parenting by supporting their skills, knowledge and opportunities to live independently with their children. Sessions are undertaken on the third Wednesday of each month. They are interactive peer-led sessions and the activities offer parents a great opportunity to engage with other young parents and their children. We discuss a range of things like housing, finances, health, well-being, relationships with professionals. We lead on campaigns and work collaboratively to enhance the service for all young parents in care or with care experience.  

If you would like to know more about the service contact Tasneem Akhtar on 07921 239725 or email tasneem.akhtar@birminghamchildrenstrust.co.uk

Care Leavers' Forum (ages 18-25) 

The group meet regularly, and their role is to improve children and young people in care as well as care leaver’s experiences. You don’t need to disclose anything personal about why you may be in care. All you need to be able to do is commit to attending meetings and work with others to improve things for children in care and/or care leavers. 

If you know of a young person who would be interested in joining one of our groups or if you have any more information, contact Julia Balston on 07703 373354 or email: julia.balston@birminghamchildrenstrust.co.uk

Group for young people who are Black, Asian or from any other ethnic minority background (age 11-18) 

This group is for young people currently in care between the ages of 11-18 who are Black, Asian and any other ethnic minority. The aim of the group is to identify and discuss issues within the Black, Asian and other ethnic minority communities to develop and lead on campaigns and work together to improve the lives of children in care and care leavers. 

Who to contact? Denishae Francis on 07594 509983 or email: denishae.francis@birminghamchildrenstrust.co.uk