Newport City Council acknowledges that the Children and Young People’s Education Committee established by the Senedd Welsh Parliament recommended that care experience becomes a protected characteristic in UK legislation and supports the Corporate Parenting Charter in Wales which the Welsh Government has recently published inviting other public sectors organisations to become a Corporate Parent for care experienced children and young people in Wales.
This council recognises that:
• Care experienced people face significant barriers that impact them throughout their lives;
• Despite the resilience of many care experienced people, society too often does not take their needs into account;
• Care experienced people often face discrimination and stigma across housing, health, education, relationships, employment and in the criminal justice system;
• Care experienced people may encounter inconsistent support in different geographical areas;
• As corporate parents, councillors have a collective responsibility for providing the best possible care and safeguarding for the children who are looked after by us as an authority;
• As corporate parents Newport Council will commit to acting as mentors, hearing the voices of care experienced children and young people and to consider their needs in any aspect of council work;
• Councillors will be champions of the children in our care and challenge the negative attitudes and prejudice that exists in all aspects of society;
This Council therefore resolves:
• That it recognises that care experienced people are a group who are likely to face discrimination;
• That it recognises that Newport Council have a duty to put the needs of disadvantaged people at the heart of decision-making through co-production and collaboration;
• That future decision, services and policies made and adopted by the Council should be assessed through Equality Impact Assessments to determine the impact of changes on people with care experience, alongside those who formally share a protected characteristic.
• That in the delivery of the Public Sector Equality Duty the Council includes care experience in the publication and review of Equality Objectives and the annual publication of information relating to people who share a protected characteristic in services and employment.
• To formally call upon all other bodies to treat care experience as a protected characteristic until such time as it may be introduced by legislation.
• For the council to continue proactively seeking out and listening to the voices of care experienced people when developing new policies based on their views.
Motion proposed by Councillor Jane Mudd and seconded by Councillor Stephen Marshall.
Minutes:
The Presiding Member invited the Leader of the Council to introduce the motion, with Councillor Marshall to second:
Newport City Council acknowledges that the Children and Young People’s Education Committee established by the Senedd Welsh Parliament recommended that care experience becomes a protected characteristic in UK legislation and supports the Corporate Parenting Charter in Wales which the Welsh Government has recently published inviting other public sectors organisations to become a Corporate Parent for care experienced children and young people in Wales.
This council notes:
· Care experienced people face significant barriers that impact them throughout their lives.
· Despite the resilience of many care experienced people, society too often does not take their needs into account.
· Care experienced people often face discrimination and stigma across housing, health, education, relationships, employment and in the criminal system.
· Care experienced people may encounter inconsistent support in different geographical areas.
· As corporate parents, councillors have a collective responsibility for providing the best possible care and safeguarding for the children who are looked after by us as an authority.
· As corporate parents Newport Council will commit to acting as mentors, hearing the voices of care experienced children and young people and to consider their needs in any aspect of council work.
· Councillors will be champions of the children in our care and challenge the negative attitudes and prejudice that exists in all aspects of society.
This Council therefore resolves:
· That it recognises that care experienced people are a group who are likely to face discrimination.
· That it recognises that Newport Council have a duty to put the needs of disadvantaged people at the heart of decision-making through co-production and collaboration.
· That future decision, services and policies made and adopted by the Council should be assessed through Equality Impact Assessments to determine the impact of changes on people with care experience, alongside those who formally share a protected characteristic.
· That in the delivery of the Public Sector Equality Duty the Council includes care experience in the publication and review of Equality Objectives and the annual publication of information relating to people who share a protected characteristic in services and employment.
· To formally call upon all other bodies to treat care experience as a protected characteristic until such time as it may be introduced by legislation.
· For the council to continue proactively seeking out and listening to the voices of care experienced people when developing new policies based on their views.
Councillor Mudd reserved the right to speak at the end of the debate.
Councillor Marshall reserved the right to speak at the end of the debate.
Comments of Councillors:
§ Councillor Davies mentioned that whilst protected characteristics were acknowledged under the Equalities Act 2010. Sadly, care experience is not one of these characteristics, whilst evidence showed it is clear that this has a life changing impact. There is discrimination against those growing up in the care system and the outcomes of children growing up in care has been extensively researched. There is a clear pattern of lower educational attainment and less likelihood of transitioning to higher education, as well as lower outcome of health and general wellbeing. Adults with care experience are overrepresented in socially excluded populations, such as prisons, homeless people, and sex workers. Councillor Davies therefore formally supported the motion to call upon other bodies to treat the care experienced as a protected characteristic and more importantly pro-actively seek out and listen to the voices of care experienced people to help support policies and actions going forward.
§ Councillor Harvey added that care experienced children should be treated the same as children at home, who would not necessarily leave a family home at 16 years old and therefore supported the motion.
§ Councillor Hourahine was pleased that this motion came from a resident of St Julian’s ward and the Social Services’ team had embraced and thoroughly researched this. If this motion was passed, Newport would be paving the way for future generations.
§ Councillor Lacey was delighted to support the motion. Many care leavers had life experience that made them resourceful and resilient and would make them an asset to further education or in the workplace and should be supported by their Corporate Parent.
§ Councillor Drewett thanked the young people in the public gallery for supporting the motion today and for Rowan Aderyn who came up with the idea. This motion would strengthen the corporate parenting function and change the policy to support former care leavers. If this motion was passed it would be the catalyst for other councils in Wales and therefore, Councillor Drewett strongly supported the motion.
§ Councillor Hughes, as Cabinet Member for Social Services (Adult Services) confirmed that councillors had met the Pathway to Independence team and the children who were the future of Newport earlier that day. As a Corporate Parent the Council has a duty to those in care and therefore supported the motion.
§ Councillor Corten supported the to be passed.
§ Councillor Evans also supported the motion and mentioned that care leavers were at risk of homelessness, adding that it was imperative that the council set out a clear plan for social housing and support with employment and education.
§ Councillor Reynolds was happy to support the motion. This motion went so far to addressing issues experienced by young people leaving care. and Councillor Reynolds was therefore proud to support the motion and hoped it was passed unanimously.
§ Councillor Marshall spoke to both support and second the motion to recognise 'Care Experienced' as a protected characteristic within the framework of the Council’s commitment to Diversity and Equality.
Councillor Marshall was glad to note that Newport City Council was always a trailblazer in promoting and celebrating principles of diversity and equality, and today we had the chance to take another bold step forward. This was amongst the growing momentum in Wales to acknowledge 'Care Experienced' as a protected characteristic aligning with our commitment to inclusivity and reflected a broader societal understanding of the challenges faced by care experienced individuals.
The recent Independent Review of Children's Social Care in England, led by Josh McCallister, highlighted the need to make care experience a protected characteristic.
. As corporate parents, we have a collective responsibility to provide the best possible care for the children looked after by our authority.
In conclusion, this motion represented a progressive and compassionate step forward for our council. Councillor Marshal urged colleagues to consider this proposal, with Newport leading the way in Wales, setting an example for other councils to follow.
§ The Leader of the Council thanked all colleagues that spoke to the motion. The Leader spoke not only as a Leader of the Council and a Corporate Parent, but also as a mother and grandmother. The Leader was privileged to give Mike Foster, The Pride of Gwent, Life’s Time Achievement award in December for his service to fostering over 50 young people, giving them stability to their lives.
The Leader also shared words with Councillor Colleagues from Rowan and Terry:
Every 15 minutes a child leaves care, they are twice as likely to be unemployed, ten times more likely to experience homelessness, face a 70% increased chance they will die prematurely, and if they do make their way into the world of work experience one of the biggest pay gaps in the UK.
Tonight, I stand before you, not just as one of those children, but as a testament to their resilience and potential.
Growing up “fostered" wasn't just a label; it was a whisper that followed me through school hallways, a doubt in the eyes of teachers, a barrier blocking certain opportunities.
In high school I really wanted to take four A-levels, but my dream was met with resistance. Teachers would say “You already have so much on your plate.” I had to have meeting after meeting to justify why I should be supported. It was an action born of kindness, but behind those words was a message that I should limit my potential, that I should not expect to achieve as much as my peers, and not because I didn’t have the grades but simply because I was fostered.
I am here to ask you to rewrite the narrative for all care-experienced children. I was lucky I refused to be defined by limitations. I fought for my chance, and with the support of some wonderful people I have continued to learn and grow. I have achieved a highly successful career as a Lead Business Architect for one of the largest financial firms in the UK, and succeeded in completing a long list of qualifications including a master’s degree for which I earnt a distinction.
My story thankfully is not unique, however examples like these are often seen as the exception when they should be the norm. Care-experienced individuals possess immense strengths and perspectives, yet we face systemic disadvantages across health, housing, education, and employment.
These are not the only spaces where care experienced people face barriers. Even recently, at a local club, a member of the committee told me “We don't want care-experienced children or adults here." These aren’t isolated incidents; and they by no means the worst examples I have heard. They are echoes of a system that doesn't see care experience as valid, as deserving of equal chances.
Tonight, we have the opportunity to change this narrative. By recognizing care experience as a protected characteristic, we send a powerful message: "We see you. We value you. And we are committed to building a future where you can thrive, alongside everyone else."
And before we build that future, let's take a moment to acknowledge the incredible people who brought us here.
Without foster care I simply would not be alive today. Without the social workers, and the doctors, and the police and the teachers who worked to create a safe space where I could grow, I would not be sat here with you. And all the wonderful things I have achieved and the beautiful family who I am so very proud of would have remained just a dream.
So to the foster parents who open their homes and hearts, to the social workers who fight for our safety, to the educators who see our potential, and to the employers like mine who break down barriers, and to every single voice that joined this chorus for equality – thank you. Your courage, your unwavering support, your belief in us is the foundation on which this movement stands.
Terry ignited this change over two years ago and tonight we ignite that spark in Wales.
But our journey isn't over. By recognizing care experience as a protected characteristic, we provide the focus to continue to build a better future for these children and where focus flows, progress follows. We will enable a conversation, encourage consideration, and safeguard the future lives of so many. As we embed this recognition throughout processes and communities our efforts will unlock opportunities for these children to thrive.
This is about investing in our entire community. Studies show that supporting care-experienced individuals leads to better economic outcomes, stronger families, and a more cohesive society. It's not only about fairness, justice, and equity.
I stand before you not just as a product of the system, but as a testament to its potential. Today, let's vote yes, let's build a future where every child, regardless of their background, has the chance to thrive. With the right support, every care-experienced person can realise a future they may only dream of. Let’s invest in their futures and the futures of all those yet to come. Together we can.
Finally, the Leader mentioned John Griffiths MS, Jayne Bryant MS, Cabinet Members, Councillor Hourahine, Rowan and Terry for sharing their stories and everyone present at Council today. For those reasons the Leader therefore supported the motion.
Resolved:
That Council unanimously supported the motion.