Our vision
Every child and young person in Somerset has the opportunity to have a voice about their life experiences and aspirations, and the services that care for them. We listen and act respectfully upon those voices to ensure children and young people are happy, healthy, and prepared for adulthood.
Whether you are a young person or you are working with young people, there are many ways that you can engage throughout Somerset and beyond. Have a browse through the toolkit below and take your pick.
There is a good tradition in Somerset for listening to the voices of children, young people and their families to help shape better outcomes for them.
We are a skilled and knowledgeable team who can help you support young people to participate in their services, schools and communities.
As we develop this information we will be telling you more about how you can get involved.
In the meantime, we have developed a Participation strategy for young people and staff from a range of organisations within Somerset.
Participation Workers Network
A multi-agency group of Engagement and Participation Workers who work collaboratively to develop and deliver opportunities for young people and elevate the young person’s voice.
Supporting participation in Somerset
The Somerset Participation Toolkit is a set of tools, guidance and resources that have been designed to support workers, staff and volunteers to engage with and involve children and young people and their families in the planning, delivery and monitoring of their own and others’ care, support and services. This toolkit should help you to hear about and learn from their lived experiences.
Visit our Somerset Participation Toolkit page for more information.
Bespoke packages and training
The team can offer bespoke training packages including:
- Participation and representation
- Person-centred planning
- Recruitment and funding panels
- Hearing the voice of the young person in funding bids
For more information please contact the Participation and Engagement team at participationmailbox@somerset.gov.uk.
Training
The Open University offers a free online course in Children and Young People’s Participation.
Youth voice groups
Young people represent their peers through forums, within the service they receive, sharing the views and opinions of Somerset’s young people and feeding back to decision makers.
Our annual report has more information about the work of the Participation and Engagement Team and our film and animations list showcases the films and animations the members of our youth voice groups have created or worked on.
If you are a young person and would like to join any of our groups, please complete this form:
If you are an organisation and would like to engage with any of the groups above, please complete this form.
Youth Forum
If you would like to join in or become a member of any of our Youth Voice Groups please register your interest below.
Somerset in Care Council (SiCC) and Somerset Leaving Care Council (SLCC) – Somerset Care Council
The Somerset Care Council is a forum where young people in care or care leavers can have a voice about their lived experiences. This voice can help shape and review the services you use.
Through the core group, the creatives or the film crew, care experienced young people can contribute through doing surveys, creating films, interviewing new staff, contributing to our newsletter, attending virtual meetings or being connected through email or social media. Their views and opinions help to improve the way services are shaped in Children’s Social Care at Somerset Council.
Contact
somersetincarecouncils@somerset.gov.uk
Somerset in Care Council website
Somerset Youth Parliament
Somerset Youth Parliament works with decision makers, key community representatives and politicians to influence change, and identify opportunities and better outcomes for children and young people across the county. Somerset Youth Parliament upholds the core values of democracy, fairness, respect and equality in everything it does.
Contact
youthparliament@somerset.gov.uk
Kate Darlington – kate.darlington@somerset.gov.uk
Somerset Youth Parliament website
The Unstoppables
Contact
Sian Smiley- SENDparticipationteam@somerset.gov.uk
Children and Young People’s Advocacy (CYPSA)
Contact
CYPSA@somerset.gov.uk
Route 1 Advocacy and Independent Visitors
All children and young people (ages 4 to 25) who receive a service from Children Social Care are entitled to access advocacy before any meeting to discuss what you would like to say.
An advocate is your voice and advocates are independent, there to listen and there to support you. We will present your views back to the meeting or relay to the appropriate professionals or support you if you wish to attend.
More information on Route 1 Advocacy.
Independent Visitors
All children and young people who are looked after by the local authority, and it’s in their best interest, have a right to be offered an Independent Visitor. The role of the Independent Visitor is to befriend you and offer guidance and support. The Independent Visitor becomes a reliable, consistent adult in your life. The relationship is one-to-one and you would spend time together in the community regularly.
More information on Independent Visitors.
Contact – Route1IndependentVisitors@somerset.gov.uk
01749 822801
Route 1 website
Mystery shopping
We support young people to review local services and provide feedback for organisations. This helps to make sure that local services are young person friendly and are working well.
There are lots of different ways you can be involved such as checking websites for children and young people are engaging and accessible, visiting services and activities and feeding back your experience or training as an inspector and visiting services to undertake quality checks.
Social media platforms
Stay up-to-date with news, updates, events and engage with us through social media.