What would you do if you could be in charge at the council for a day? Well, dozens of young people with care experience in the borough recently had the chance to step into the shoes of Ealing Council’s decision-makers. 

They were challenged to take over decision making at the council on Friday 21 November and had a taste of what it was like to be the leader of the council, cabinet member for a fairer start and chief executive.

Other senior staff including directors of housing, regeneration, human resources (HR), special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and inclusion, and parking. 

Staff from the NHS, the Integrated Care Board, the Department for Education, and the community sector also joined the event.  They worked alongside the young people, showed them how decisions are made, and listened to ideas for improving services. 

These young people also helped to make real decisions about services for care leavers and helped choose the council’s foster carer of the year.  

At lunch, stalls offered support and opportunities: 

• 50 young people signed up to the Ealing Cares app, which gives care leavers easy access to advice, local services and emergency help 

• 35 signed up for free gym membership to support health and wellbeing 

• 9 signed up for the NHS apprenticeship programme 

Connections were also made with charities Shaw Trust and MCR Pathways for mentoring and employment opportunities. 

One young person was even introduced to a barrister mentor to help prepare for a Cambridge law interview. Another secured work experience and support to gain a security qualification and an apprenticeship. 

‘There is more to do’ 

Councillor Josh Blacker, the council’s cabinet member for a fairer start, said: “Our Care Leavers’ Takeover Day is about more than giving young people a seat at the table. It is about giving them the power to shape the services that affect their lives. Their ideas and honesty challenge us to do better. We are proud of what has been achieved, but we know there is more to do. We will keep working together to make the borough the best place for care-experienced young people to thrive.” 

Care leavers can contact the Leaving Care Service on 020 8825 8481/8634 or the Horizons Centre 020 8537 4940 for advice.