Care leavers on camera
Young care leavers, including students studying in York, stepped in front of the cameras to share positive messages about their life in care.
Members of the Catch22 NCAS Young People’s Benchmarking Forum were interviewed for a film, set in the streets of York, to highlight the achievements and experiences of young people who have been in foster and residential care.
The film, shown recently on ITV, was produced with the help of ITV Fixers, a National Lottery funded scheme which gives young people an opportunity to work with professional producers to develop films, songs and music videos highlighting issues they feel strongly about.
Jo Dixon, a researcher in the University of York’s Social Policy Research Unit (SPRU), is currently seconded to Catch 22 NCAS. She explained: “The film features the more positive aspects and outcomes of care. It sends a strong and positive message of what can be achieved when young people from care are supported and have opportunities to reach their potential.
“It’s good to hear from care leavers who feel proud of who they are and what they have achieved.”
SPRU has an international reputation for research on children and young people who are in, or leaving care. The research has influenced policy and practice delivering evidence of the vulnerability of care leavers and recommendations for improving the experience, support and outcomes for those in care.
The University is part of Starting Blocks, a York-based programme of support for helping care leavers in employment. It was also awarded the Frank Buttle Trust Quality Mark to recognise its support for care leavers studying at York.
Further information
Find out more about the work of the Social Policy Research Unit