Council to make being a care leaver a protected characteristic
At a meeting of the full council on May 24, Cllr Rebecca Halifax proposed a motion for the council to treat care experience as a protected characteristic.
The motion was unanimously approved by the council.
The change will allow the council to provide better support care experienced young people and remove the barriers that prevent children, both in and leaving care, achieving their potential.
As a public body, the council has a duty to promote equal opportunities between those people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not.
In addition to being a care leaver, other protected characteristics include:
- Age
- Disability
- Gender reassignment
- Marriage and civil partnership
- Pregnancy and maternity
- Race
- Religion or belief
- Sex and sexual orientation.
Care leavers can face a range of barriers and discrimination. The change will aim to create better outcomes for individuals that have left care settings.
The council will call on other councils in Gloucestershire to treat care experience as a protected characteristic.
It will also work with the LEP, sixth forms, colleges, apprenticeship providers and employers to provide an incentive for businesses who find employment opportunities for care leavers.
Cllr Mark Hawthorne, Leader of Gloucestershire County Council, said: “We are ambitious for our children and young people, and take the role of corporate parent to children in care and leaving care very seriously.
“I am delighted that the council has been able to support care leavers further by agreeing to make care experience a protected characteristic.
“This will help to improve the opportunities for young people leaving care in Gloucestershire, and I urge other councils across our county to do the same.”
Cllr Rebecca Halifax, Liberal Democrat councillor for Cirencester Park and proposer of the motion at council, said: “Our care leavers are some of the most resilient people you will meet, but people leaving care often face additional challenges accessing higher education, training or employment through no fault of their own.
“We know our care leavers have amazing talent and potential, and the aim of this Motion is to ensure the Council is pursuing every avenue to play our part in supporting them to fulfil it.
“I am delighted to receive cross-party support for this – and am particularly excited about what can be achieved working with others to promote the talents of our care leavers and to link our young people with opportunities where they can flourish.”
Cllr John Bloxsom, group leader of Labour at Gloucestershire County Council, said: “The Labour Group fully supports the call for people who have been in care to be given the same protection under the Equality Act as other discriminated groups.
“This campaign has been led by people with experience of care to stop prejudice against a group that suffers disadvantage, such as homelessness.
“This step by the County Council means that it should consider the needs of care leavers when it is designed and delivering services and we very much support this decision.”
Cllr Cate Cody, group leader of the Green Party at Gloucestershire County Council, said: “This is a step towards creating equality of opportunity for those who have experienced care outside their family.
“It is Gloucestershire County Council’s responsibility to support care leavers as they build their own lives.
“We are glad to fully support this motion and will continue to be champions for all care leavers.”