Medway Council backs a national campaign in support of preventing discrimination against those who have been in or are in the care system.
On Thursday, 18 July, Medway’s Full Council unanimously agreed to recognise ‘care experience’ as a protected characteristic. In taking this step, we will be adding our voice to the national campaign that care experience becomes the tenth protected characteristic.
It is against the law to discriminate on a number of things including age and gender, for example. We will be treating ‘care experience’ in the same way it does protected characteristics.
Care experience applies to all children, young people and adults who have been in or are currently in the care system. We recognise the impact being care experienced can have on outcomes for children, young people, and adults.
Our employees and elected members are all corporate parents; they work together and act in the best interests of children in care and care leavers, ensuring they receive support and opportunities to reach their full potential. As part of their corporate parenting role, we will use this status to further champion improved opportunities for Medway’s children in care and care leavers, as well as helping to prevent this group from being discriminated by using it to help shape decision making and council policy.
Cllr Adam Price, Medway Council’s Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services, said: “I am really pleased that the protected characteristic is now in place, formally putting those with care experience at the heart of decision-making. Children and young people find themselves in the care system at no fault of their own. Medway’s decision demonstrates our commitment to disadvantaged children and young people, and helping to prevent discrimination.”