York staff member appointed to expert care leavers board

Posted on 17 March 2021

A member of staff at the University of York has been appointed to an expert panel looking at the experiences of children and young people living in care.

Chris Hoyle works for the University's Widening Participation team

Chris Hoyle will join the Expert by Experience Board of the Independent Review of Children’s Social Care.

The Board aims to help guide the review team in hearing the experiences of children, young people, adults and families in its review of social care systems.

Mr Hoyle was selected through his experiences of living in care himself and his expertise as part of the University’s Widening Participation team.

Evidence base

Mr Hoyle said: “I'm delighted to be appointed to this important role and to have the opportunity to learn from the rich and diverse experiences within the group.

“It is a huge honour and responsibility to help ensure that care experienced voices from across the country have a meaningful say in such an important review.

“I'm also looking forward to submitting evidence to the review to highlight some of the fantastic work the University of York have done to become sector leading in our support for care experienced students.”

Understanding

As well as helping the University develop Care Leaver support programmes, which has included bursaries, additional support in accessing study abroad and industry placements, and Christmas gift hampers, Mr Hoyle has undertaken a number of activities in his own time, including delivering parenting training, sharing professional knowledge, and work with the Perinatal Institute to change the maternity process and guidance for Care Experienced people.

The Independent Review of Children’s Social Care is the result of a call this year from the Education Secretary for a better understanding of how the care system can be reformed to improve children and young people’s lives at the earliest opportunity.

The Expert by Experience Board will help the review in looking at issues through the perspective of children and families throughout their interactions with children’s social care – from the moment they enter the system, to the moment they leave.