Senior in care council: Insight from our young person to social care professionals in B&NES

Last week our long-standing volunteer Jasmin delivered an outstanding session for social workers, personal advisors, and social care professionals in the Adolescent and Care experience team meeting in B&NES.

Following a fantastic response to Jasmin’s previous training sessions, she was invited to speak at this meeting to give insight into the important factors to consider in foster care placements and ways to make the first 48 hours a smooth transition, and as comfortable for young people as possible.

Jasmin gave detailed, clear advice on how to ensure that new foster placements and transitions are managed successfully in the first 48 hours, by ensuring vital questions and conversations are had with young people and foster carers before they move in, and making sure that the young person has all the info they need. Thinking about things such as an overnight bag so that they don't have to unpack everything straight away, knowing where the plugs and sockets are and how to access Wi-Fi, and having the same household products they are used to so that they have some continuity.

Jasmin’s recommendations were welcomed by staff at the meeting:

“Jasmin thank you for presenting and using your experience so powerfully to inform our practice. It was well received and has given everyone food for thought.” Clare Luxton, ACE Team Manager

Especially important conversations Jasmin raised to have in advance with young people included discussions about food, sanitary products, knowing how to get around their new area, and vital conversations about the young person’s preferences to ensure everything could be in place to make the transition as comfortable as possible. Once this info is collected, Jasmin recommended that it is essential to pass this information on to foster carers in advance where possible and ensure that communication is strong between carers, social workers, and the young person.

Jasmin’s hard work in finding this opportunity, preparing independently for this meeting, and providing vital insight for these professionals was evident in the excellent response she received. Going forward, this may create further opportunities for Jasmin and the Senior In Care Council to review and feedback on how information is provided to young people, and the kind of information needed about young people, to make sure their foster care placement transition is as positive as possible.

Thank you, Jasmin, for being such a fantastic voice for young people, and for your inspiring contributions over the years to Off the Record BANES!

You can see Jasmin’s video created for the Junior in care council on how to make fun rice pop cakes here: