Voice and Participation Service

Youth Councillors are aged 11 to 18-years-old and have been elected to represent their school and community.

Being a Youth Councillor is an exciting opportunity to represent the views of other young people at a county level. Youth Councillors are between the ages of 11 - 18 and either live or go to school/college in Wiltshire. Youth councillors are required to attend at least one full youth council meeting a month. These meetings are hybrid, which means that if the youth councillor cannot make it in person then they can join via Microsoft Teams. The two Youth Councillors of the school are expected to attend the meeting, the deputy is also welcome to attend.

Each full youth council meeting has a guest invited to it who seek the Youth Councillors views on important topics, whether that is to do with environmental issues, transport, or mental health the members of youth council will have a say in how policy at the council is shaped.

With support from Wiltshire's Voice and Participation Service, the Youth Council will take part in activities such as youth inspections, advising on how money is spent for young people and advocating for young people where they live.

Once elected the Youth Councillors stood in an internal election to become a Member of Youth Parliament (MYP), Wiltshire has three seats on the UK Youth Parliament (UKYP). This is a chance for Wiltshire's young people to have a say on the national youth voice agenda.

Runners-up have the opportunity to act as a Deputy Member of Youth Parliament, their role is to support the MYP with their work and step in when the MYP is unable to attend a Youth Parliament meeting.

Schools should help inspire our young people to actively engage in discussing relevant issues. Youth councillors will sit within a forum that encourages debate and reflection and they will be able to bring this back to their own school or setting. This will allow schools to engage at a deeper level, with the youth voice both within the school and within the wider community - to ensure that we are listening to our young people and protecting them as best we can. This forum will also provide an opportunity to help shape all Wiltshire Council services to ensure they are right for young people in areas including transport, climate change, youth services and education to name just a few.

Ambassadors are 'experts by experience'. Anyone who has received services from Wiltshire Council can be an Ambassador. We are particularly interested in people being an Ambassador if they or a family member have or have had:

A Social worker or Family Keyworker

Specialist educational services such as had an EHCP (Education and Health Care Plan), Educational Welfare Officer or seen an Educational Psychologist.

Involvement with our Young Peoples Services like the YOT (Young Offenders Team) or our Stronger Families Team.

Parent/carers who have experienced social care involvement and would like to provide essential feedback on the services provided.

At Wiltshire Council we know how important it is for us to get feedback from people who use our services this so we can improve those services and make them the best they can be. When an Ambassador is involved in a training session, interview or inspection people tend to be more engaged and take in what is being told to them. Wiltshire Council believes that anyone can teach anyone, that is why we want to recruit young people and parents who can explain what it is like to be on the receiving end of services.

They use their experience to help train and educate others, for example they may present to new foster carers or social workers and tell them about what it is like to be on the receiving end of services.

They interview a range of people, these may include senior managers, social workers, or others that make decisions that will affect others.

They will inspect different teams and services to ensure that they are fully meeting the needs of the young people that use them.

They look at policies and procedures to make sure other young people can fully understand them and what this will mean for them.

Ambassadors get to share their experiences, good and bad with people that can make changes, this will help other young people that are going through a similar life journey.

 Ambassadors will gain incredible experience which they can include on their CV.

People who want to be an Ambassador can meet with a member of our Child and Youth Voice Team and find out more about the scheme. Email childandyouthvoice@wiltshire.gov.uk (opens new window) to find out more.

Mind of My Own is an amazing tool that allows young people who receive support from Children's Services to express their views anytime. It gives them opportunity to send a message to their social worker, Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO), or other members of staff. Mind of my own is really useful when young people are thinking about anything that might be worrying them, or if they have some fantastic news that they can't wait to share. You can also use it to express their views ready for any meeting or review that is coming up.

The app is available in over 100 languages!

Young people can access it on any internet browser, or you can download it onto any smartphone device including your phone, tablet, or computer.

Or their social worker can help them to download it and will be very happy to show you how to use it.

For further information please visit Mind of My Own: For Young People (opens new window).

The Children in Care Council is a group offered to Children in Care who are looked after by Wiltshire Council, below is a summary of what the group entails:

• Children in Care Council Members are aged between 8 and 17 years old, and are eligible if they currently live in care or have had experience of being in fostered.
• The CiCC gives care-experienced young people the opportunity to meet others who are living through the same experiences, this helps promote a sense of community and positive wellbeing. It is a safe space where they can be confident and open about their experiences and feelings
• The CiCC hosts meetings which consult with the members about important issues, such as what makes a good foster home, mental health and education. This feedback is shared with key decision makers to inform positive changes to services offered to children in care and care leavers.

There are many benefits to joining the Children in Care Council (CiCC):

• Members enjoy fun activities, including a fun activity day during every school holiday.
• The opportunity to attend exciting residential trips completely free of charge. This is a great space to make lifelong memories and experience new things!
• You will have the chance to have a meaningful say, and meet key decision makers at the council, who will listen to you about what is most important for children who live in foster care.
• The Children in Care Council is a fantastic opportunity to make friends and have your say on the decisions that matter to you the most. It gives you the opportunity to get your voice heard!

To get involved with the Children in Care Council you can either speak with your Social Worker, or email the Child and Youth Voice Team childandyouthvoice@wiltshire.gov.uk (opens new window).