Children's participation

We’ve created a positive and empowering culture where everyone feels respected, valued and able to contribute, one where we encourage children and young people to get involved and have their say. By involving everyone, we grow stronger and better together. We’re focused on helping everyone become as good as they can be.

What is participation?

Participation at FCA is where we actively engage our children and young people. By involving everyone, we grow stronger and better together. We’re focused on helping everyone become as good as they can be. When you join the FCA family, you’ll be introduced to your local participation team. The participation team enables children and young people to contribute and have a say in matters that relate to them. We want to ensure that young people’s voices are heard and responded to. We value their contribution and we’re always here to listen to help us improve the experiences of our services to be more child-focused and provide better support for those entrusted in our care.

We help children and young people to:

Participate in their communities.
Access opportunities within their local area.
Participate with FCA.

What does the participation team do?

There’s always something going on, and our local participation teams encourage all children and young people to join in. In fact, we’ll do our best to make sure that they do!

Our support, together with the programmes offered, aim to increase self-esteem, build confidence, develop life skills and meet new friends. A particular emphasis is on enhancing employability through such schemes as our CV and Interview Skills workshops, AQA awards, our very own ‘Careers Fairs’ which attract a range of local employers, apprenticeship providers and Further education providers as well as our ‘Dare to Dream’ opportunities where young people can meet employees or visit establishments and organisations where they are considering a future career.

Additional support

Some of the support offered also includes:

Introductory visit for every young person where we meet them face to face. We get to know the young person’s interest and hobbies, go through Young Person’s Guide, a summary of life with FCA. Every child is provided a memory box and tools to create and keep memories.
An annual calendar of social activities for all children and young people which includes a range of local and national events, trips to beach, bowling, our annual Big Sing Off choir competition.
Recognising achievements through Achievements day awards or a newsletter mention. We use AQA’s Unit Award Scheme to record achievement on some of our courses.
Ensuring our guides and documents for children and young people are available in an appropriate format, such as additional languages.
Collaborating with national and local organisations to help enhance young people’s development such as Barclays LifeSkills and Duke of Edinburgh awards.
Life skills such as independent skills and support for example careers events, training opportunities for young people.
Regional tailored young people’s newsletter which includes information on events happening in their local area, information about community events, fun, activities, word searches and recipes to try out.

Lots of different things to do, I am collecting the passport activity stars, and I get to help people, without being forced into doing things I don't want to do. I like to be able to choose what I do and don't do.

Young person, aged 10

Other ways we support

Social Worker Support

You’ll have a dedicated supervising social worker who is your main point of contact. You’ll meet regularly to monitor progress, answer any queries and help you develop your skills.

Support for foster parents

We respond to your needs with 24 /7 support, training and all the resources, everything you’d expect from a large and long-established foster care agency.

Find out more

Therapy Service

Our therapists will help you understand your foster child so that you can find ways of responding to their needs that will make all the difference to them.

Find out more