Issue - meetings

          The Board received a report supporting the motion of care experience in young people being a protected characteristic which was to try and end discrimination for care experienced young people. If accepted, the Council will be one of 32 Council’s in the country considering this proposal.

The following points arose from the discussion:

·       If the Council approved a private care home being built, the Council would have to consider the impact on children with care experience.

·       Private care homes should contact the Council to ensure that care leavers needs were being met, and the house was not built purely for profit. It expected that private companies should engage with the Council on this and they would have to meet the criteria set by the Council for children in care. 

·       The characteristic would be recognised permanently so adults with care experience could be signposted for support even when they are adults.

·       A Board Member noted that private companies would want out of county children in their homes as this would enable them to charge more. Officers would challenge this with applications, especially if no contact was made with the Council prior to their application.

·       Board Members noted that properties accommodating children in care were often discriminated against.  

          Following a vote by way of a show of hands, the Board agreed that ‘Care Experienced’ should be a protected characteristic. 

          RESOLVED:

          That Council recognise ‘Care Experienced’ as a protected characteristic.