Foreword
This Strategy is designed to improve the well-being of all children and young people living in the London Borough of Havering
and to ensure that their voices are heard in a meaningful way. It will therefore, seek to ensure the co-operation amongst the
wide r children’s services and partners, in order to ensure that we make a real impact on the lives of our children and young
people. It sets to articulate methods for creating opportunities for children and young people so that they can thrive. By
agreeing mechanisms to support improved working practices and outlining the key outcomes we wish to achieve, we are
taking the first step in making a real and lasting impact on the lives of children and young people. It will be a framework to
guide the organisation t o ensure it makes the most of resources and opportunities to benefit Havering’s children and young
people. A Participation Tool Kit will be created and co-produced alongside this document with children and young people.
Executive Summary
This Strategy is for all children and young people in the London Borough of Havering, and the professionals and volunteers
engaging with them. A key focus for this strategy is those children who are care experienced, including young people in care
and transitioning to the leaving care service, where they will receive ongoing support with their journey into adulthood. As a
council, we are committed to listening to children and young people about their experiences of the services that they receive
and the issues that are important to them; and work with them to deliver improvements that reflect their views.
Participation centres on promoting positive outcomes for children and young people, whilst taking a position that is trauma
informed and systemic. In order to meet this objective, participation activities should encompass a range of capacity-building
opportunities for children and young people including:
Positive activities and fun: Your Choice programme, Total Respect, Virtual School enrichment activities, Youth Clubs
and the Children in Care Council.
Confidence building and training: the opportunity to take part in bespoke training to support them to hone the skills
that will enable them to use their voice and influence (Total Respect).
The potential to enrich and influence decision making processes such as: development and implementation of The
Pledge; Corporate Parenting Takeover, Youth Management Team, Children in Care Council: Young Inspectors, being
part of interview panels for key positions; participation on the Safer Neighbourhood Board and Youth Justice Board;
the opportunity to be consulted on key issues of the day, such as stop and search, disproportionality, w omen’s rights
and safety, LGBTQ+ rights and safety; work experience opportunities for post 16 via the Virtual School and the
Leaving Care Service.
Accessing universal services such as the Havering Yout h Council, the UK Youth Parliament, All Girls’ Forum and the
London Youth Assembly. The opportunity to achieve skills and accredited outcomes.
The Independent Visitor Service offers befriending support to every Havering child or young person in care up to
the age of 25. An Independent Visitor is a volunteer who is independent of Children’s Social Care. They act as a
friend, listen, give advice and take part in activities with the young person. Visits take place every two – three
weeks and for 18 months or longer if needed. To receive a referral form or find out more information please email
earlyhelpvolunteer@havering.gov.uk or visit our website
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