A National Voice

ANV News Archives May 09

Feeling Supersonic?

What do Marilyn Monroe, John Lennon and Malcolm X have in common? Well, yes they're famous people but that's not the interesting thing. The answer is that they are people who experienced some type of Care, as were many comic book superheroes like Superman and Spiderman. This elite list also contains the names of fictional characters such as Tracy Beaker and Harry Potter as well as some mythological/religious figures. It would seem that these are individuals who are able to break through any barriers that may come with that Care experience and pursue goals and achieve success. This has become the inspiration for ANV's Supersonic campaign.

Of course some of these folks just got lucky. Kal–El (Clark Kent) for instance was indeed separated from his family, his home and his …erm planet but he also happened to develop the power of flight, x–ray vision and many more handy abilities. That kind of stuff's got to help if you're intending to become Superman and right the wrongs of the world.

While it's true that some of the achievements are superhuman or fantastical, there are others which are very ‘real world’. Although many of these people are not living, the echoes of their voices still reach our ears and the effects of their actions are still changing the world. They positively affect the way we think and the way we perceive the world, other people and ourselves. There are many more who we will probably never know. The ‘ordinary heroes’; the doctors and nurses and ambulance workers who have saved lives, the political activists who have caused changes which reduce poverty, lessen injustice, establish human rights etc.

Other members of this ‘special’ group have pursued more personal goals sometimes against great odds. They may not be in a position to help others directly but they can show others that they have the power to help themselves. They show us that we can go beyond individual limitations and achieve whatever we want to achieve. We can all go supersonic.

There are many categories of achievement and success and many different measures of it. There is also a vast array of ‘achievers’ and ‘succeeders’ but we believe there is a special category reserved for those select few who have the ‘Malcom X–Factor’. These are people who, in their youth had to deal with the extra complications, disturbances and negative attention that often comes with being ‘looked after’/going through the ‘Care system’ even for a short time. This on top of the unfortunate circumstances (always beyond their control) that led to them to being in that situation, a situation that only those who have experienced it can know the truth of. These are the people who, despite any of this, are/were not deterred from achieving their goals. They were separated from family/home/planet were not endowed with super powers but nonetheless broke through the barrier—were not held back—and achieved what they set out to achieve.

What about failure? What if we didn't achieve? Well, for one thing, if you fall into the Supersonic category you cannot fail. By the very act of being true to yourself and not being defined or controlled by your past and not being limited by it you have succeeded. More importantly though, you are probably underestimating your achievements

Us lot at ANV want to celebrate, document and present this unique group of individuals so that young people who are having or have had that Care experience can see what's possible. So we're making a dedicated website and David Akinsanya (a successful film maker who is Care–experienced) is making a short film for us with interviews from people who are willing to be involved. So far we have heard from people who are now a barrister, a lecturer, an Oscar-nominated actress, a poet, a broadcaster, an author, a businessman, a printer, a joiner and a librarian.

Some famous british Supersonics:

• Kriss Akabusi (Athlete)
• Leo Blair (Prime Ministers Father)
• Mark Bright (Footballer/TV presenter)
• Kathy Burke (Actress)
• Richard Burton (Actor)
• Michael Caines MBE (Chef)
• Charlie Chaplin (Actor)
• Goldie (DJ/Producer)
• Colin Jackson (Athlete)
• Neil Morrissey (Actor)
• Samantha Morton (Actress)
• Seal (Singer)
• Lemm Sissay (Poet)
• Fatima Whitbread (athlete)

Some other famous Supersonics:

• Ingrid Bergman (Actress)
• Nat King Cole (Singer)
• Marilyn Monroe (Actress)
• Eddie Murphy (Comedian/Actor)
• Malcolm X (Civil Rights Activist)

Other Stuff

We are still committed to representing our young people with regard to Care Matters and we are letting the government know what we think is right and wrong with their plans for the young people in their care. We really want to get the best from this opportunity to influence the changes that are going to take place in the Care system. We are using every means at our disposal.

Our CEO, Maxine, was recently awarded an honorary masters degree by Salford University. We won't say too much about it in case we embarrass her...

Clare, one of our Regional Development Workers, took a trip to Dallas, Texas in the US of A in April as part of a Rotary International Program.

You can download and read Clare's 'letter from America' ( pdf)

Care Matters White Paper: Time for Change

ANV have been involved in several stages of the new White Paper and were invited to the official launch event with the Secretary Of State Alan Johnson and Childrens Minister Beverly Hughes.

ANV's vice chair Jonny Hoyle spoke to Alan Johnson about children and young people's ideas about the government proposals to improve the care system. ANV submitted the views of 200 children and young people to government.

Plans developed in the White Paper include making schools give places to children in Care, even if they are full, and providing bursaries of a minimum of £2,000 for those who go on to university. The government will also pilot a scheme in 11 local authorities for children to receive help from a ‘virtual head teacher’, who would check on the progress of all children in care in their area.

The paper also says that children should not be moved too often, and that no one should be moved in the crucial GCSE years of 10 and 11. Furthermore it says that they should have ‘personalised learning’ plus £500 a year to support their education and development if they are at risk of not reaching expected standards.

Education Secretary Alan Johnson said:

“For too long society has failed children in Care and it is nothing less than a scandal. We should have the same aspirations for these children as we do our own. ”

Proposals in the Care Matters White Paper include:

• Access to the best schools
• £500 to help pupils catch up
• £2,000 bursary for university
• Fewer placements
• Stay in foster care until at least 18
• ‘Virtual head teacher’ to track progress
• No school moves for children in Years 10 and 11
• ‘Councils’ formed for children in care
• Exclusion made last absolute last resort

The White Paper says every local authority must set up a ‘children in care council’, where looked–after children can give their views and influence service provision. Also councils would be told to do more to try to keep children with their families, for example by offering more support including short breaks.

Children in care should have more one-to-one time with social workers.

The quality of placements should be improved, with better training for foster carers and the statutory framework strengthened so that local authorities can only move children out of their areas if it is in the best interests of the child.

Children should also be encouraged to stay in care for longer. Mr Johnson said:

“The average child leaves their parental home at the age of 24, yet a quarter of children in care will leave at the age of 16. We will support young people for longer - well into their twenties if necessary. ”

David Holmes, of the British Association for Adoption and Fostering, said:

“This White Paper is of vital importance. It is honest about failures with the current system and the fact that too many children are still moving around too often. Professionals and carers are already working incredibly hard, but the government has also recognised that local authorities need more support and resources to deliver the very best service to all children in care. ”

LILAC Event at House of Commons

The 10 young people who were recruited to become the LILAC team members a year ago have now set some pilot standards to measure standards of ‘participation’ within service providers.

Recently 2 pilot LILAC inspections were carried out by these young care–experienced people in local authorities across England.

We held an event at the House of Commons hosted by David Kidney MP to launch the report on the LILAC pilots.

We are currently seeking extra funding to develop the LILAC pilots further.