Summer Ball to mark the launch of Children in Care Council

An ‘End of School Summer Ball’ for looked after children in the Northern Trust took place on Wednesday 21 August 2013 in Wellington Café & Restaurant in Ballymena. The Ball was held to celebrate the summer holidays and to give the children, young people and their carers an opportunity to have a relaxed evening out, get to know one another and enjoy each other’s company.

A number of Trust staff alongside volunteers and workers from Voice of Young People in Care (VOYPIC) also attended. The evening was an opportunity for the Northern Trust to launch the Children in Care Council (CICC).

The CICC is an opportunity for looked after children and young people in the Northern Trust to take part and have a say in what really matters in their lives, improve their self-esteem and make a positive contribution to their future careers. Over 50% of the children and young people agreed they would be interested in taking part. The Northern Trust is now seeking to meet with these children/young people to agree the best way forward for a Northern Trust CICC.

Marie Roulston, Director of Children’s Service Northern Trust said. “This is an exciting opportunity for looked after children and young people to have a say in what matters in their lives and we will work closely with VOYPIC in establishing a council in the Northern Trust area”.

Currently there are no Children in Care Councils in Northern Ireland, however, the Northern Trust is seeking to be one of the first Trusts to set up a Council in the Province.

9th September 2013