Last month’s nomination period resulted in a total 20 young people aged 11-20 putting themselves forward for election to the council. They are all hoping their manifesto will win them one of the 12 available seats.

Voting is currently underway and 750 looked after children and young people and care leavers aged 8-25 have been invited to cast their votes before 28 June. The returned votes will be counted up and results declared at a Shire Hall event on 2July 2013.

The CiCC was formed in Warwickshire in 2008 but 2013 is the first year that all council members will be elected through a democratic process.

The democratic process has been introduced as part of a new council constitution. This was written by young people and includes the role and purpose of the group, membership, positions, and meeting structure. It was approved and signed by Warwickshire County Councillor Heather Timms and Head of Safeguarding Phil Sawbridge, Shinderpaul Bhangal Practice Leader for Participation and current CiCC Chair Jasmine Grinnell.

The council aims to make sure the views of children in care are heard and to make being in care a positive experience. Members improve services for looked after children and care leavers by listening to young people, identifying gaps in service provision and working with the county council to address any issues.

Cllr Heather Timms, portfolio holder for children, young people and families said: “During their term in office members offer a respected voice for young people in care and will get to influence a number of key council decisions and have a say about how support is offered.

“The range of opportunities for council members is wide. As well as identifying and addressing key issues through research, members in the past have supported foster carer training and recruitment, spoken at events and conferences, delivered workshops and are helping to implement a Care Leavers Charter. It is an important role and I wish all the candidates good luck.”

WCC’s Shinderpaul Bhangal, will oversee the whole election process and will support the young people during their time in office. He said: “We have changed to an election format this year to reflect the increased responsibilities of the council, raise awareness of the important role the CiCC fulfils, and in recognition of the fact that more young people want to be involved.  I hope many young people will vote or take part in the election process in some way.”

Jasmine Grinnell, Children in Care Council Chair added: “The CiCC is an excellent platform on which changes can be made for the better of looked after children and young people. By getting involved, young people can be sure to learn valuable skills, develop and grow in confidence and make a difference.”

If you wish to know more about the CiCC and CiCC Election, or a young person you come into contact with maybe interested in learning more, information is available at www.warwickshire.gov.uk/cicc

A consultation into proposed changes to the Integrated Disability Service started 14 May and will run until the 6 August. People can find out about the proposals and take part in the consultation online or at meetings around the county.

The local authority will be remodelling the Integrated Disability Service (IDS) short breaks and social care services to meet recommendations set out in the Children and Families Bill 2013 and to make essential savings from the service budget.

Warwickshire County Council has to reduce its spending by nearly £70 million by 2014/15. All services across the authority are affected and some difficult decisions have to be made.

The proposed savings target for the IDS has been set at £1.7m which will reduce the service’s total budget to £7.1m from next year.

A significant proportion of the savings will be internal with no impact on frontline services, but the council is also seeking views on a modernisation and redesign programme for short breaks and social care.

Consultation proposals focus on targeting support to those in greatest need by redefining eligibility criteria and aim to offer much more choice and control to families about how they access services.

People can share their views on the proposals during this period online at www.warwickshire.gov.uk/consultation or they can attend one of the following public meetings:

• Tuesday 25th June at 1pm – 2.30pm, Oak Wood School, Morris Drive, Nuneaton, CV11 4QH
• Thursday 27th June 2.00pm – 3.30pm, Welcombe Hills School, Blue Cap Road, Stratford upon Avon CV37 6TQ
• Thursday 18^th July, 9.45-11.45am, Hillmorton Manor, High Street, Hillmorton, Rugby, CV21 4EE.

Sarah Callaghan Head of Learning and Achievement at Warwickshire County Council said: “New guidance and a requirement to make unprecedented savings have resulted in a radical rethink of the way we work; how we can integrate services to provide value for money and provide a more holistic approach.

“We have no choice about making these savings, but in doing so we will seek to protect our most vulnerable families and ensure support is directed where it is needed most.

“We see this as an opportunity to reshape services to offer more choice and control to families in line with a national shift toward personalisation of social care support packages.”

The consultation is running for twelve weeks from 15 May to 31 July and depending on the outcomes of this process, recommendations will be presented to the county council’s Cabinet in September 2013.

The consultation applies to IDS short breaks and social care services only. IDS Teaching and Learning, which supports children in education settings and services delivered with health, are not part of this process.

To request the consultation in another format, contact Warwickshire County Council Customer Services on 01926 410410.

A theatre production designed by Collingwood Learning and commissioned by the county council’s road safety team will be touring Warwickshire secondary schools during the first week of July.

‘Critical Moments’, a live theatre performance, will use humour, action and dramatic realism to highlight passenger and pedestrian risks to Warwickshire students aged 12-14.

The vibrant and fast moving theatre experience explores the potential consequences of decisions students take on a daily basis and helps them develop strategies to keep themselves safe on the roads. The performance is followed by a carefully structured workshop that enables the youngsters to consider the issues raised in the performance in more detail.

Cllr Les Caborn, Portfolio Holder for Community Safety said: “Critical Moments delivers important road safety messages to young people in an engaging and memorable way and at a crucial time. Analysis of road casualty data shows a rise in the number of casualties at the age of 10 which is linked to the start of independent travel as young people begin to travel unaccompanied by adults.

“This performance and workshop programme will challenge young people’s perceptions of personal risk as pedestrians and in vehicles and give them vital knowledge that they can use to help themselves stay safe.”

The tour starts on Monday 1 July and will visit ten secondary schools across Warwickshire.

The England Illegal Money Lending Team are working in partnership with Warwickshire County Council Trading Standards and North Warwickshire Borough Council’s Licensing Department to raise awareness of the campaign.

A series of events are being held across the country as part of Mens Health Week (10-16 June) to directly target men, encouraging them to engage with the England Illegal Money Lending Team and report the crime if they have been affected.

In North Warwickshire the campaign will target self employed private hire a drivers, a group who are particularly targeted by loan sharks as they may not have a regular income.

Information on avoiding loan sharks, and how to seek help if they have been affected is being sent to all drivers in the area. The drivers will also be provided with tax disk holders bearing the 0300 555 2222 hotline number for reporting loan sharks.

The Men’s Health Week Campaign is aimed at breaking down the barriers, which prevent men from getting involved in community concerns. It encourages them to take positive action and speak out against illegal money lending. It doesn’t portray those who are affected by loan sharks as victims but shows that they can make a difference in their communities if they do speak out.

There are an estimated 310,000 households across the UK in debt to a loan shark. Loans sharks typically befriend their borrowers before forcing them to pay back above and beyond what they have borrowed and can afford.

Exorbitant extra amounts and interest payments are added at random, and items including passports, bank cards and driving licences are taken as security on the loans.

As the debts cannot legally be enforced in many cases the loan sharks will resort to threats, violence and other bully tactics.

The England Illegal Money Lending Team are cracking down on this crime, having already secured 235 prosecutions for illegal money lending and related criminal activity, leading to custodial sentences in excess of 157 years. They have written off £40.3 million worth of illegal debts and helped more than 20,000 people affected by loan sharks.

Janet Faukner, Head of Warwickshire Trading Standards Service said: “We are delighted to be supporting this important national campaign. Loan sharks are a blight on our communities, causing misery to thousands of families. Warwickshire Trading Standards is helping to raise awareness of the problems caused by loan sharks and clamp down on their activities.”

Jim Pollard of the Men’s Health Forum said ‘Illegal money lending may not sound like a health issue but it is – and a serious one. If you don’t have a health problem before you see a loan shark you will afterwards. The terrible mental stress and outrageous interest rates have provoked suicides, suicide attempts and heart attacks to say nothing of the more obvious physical dangers that getting involved with loan sharks entails. For sake of your health, and that of those around you, don’t do it. If you have money problems talk to Citizen’s Advice or a local Credit Union.’

Steve Whiles, Environmental Health Manager at North Warwickshire Borough Council “We’re pleased to be supporting this project which warns our self employed taxi drivers about the dangers of using loan sharks to finance their business.”

Tony Quigley Head of the England Illegal Money Lending Team said “Illegal money lending can have a horrific impact on the life and well being of borrowers. People are left penniless and in fear of the loan sharks. We’d urge people not to suffer in silence but to report the crime to us so we can take action. Please call 0300 555 2222. Our lines are open 24/7 and all calls are treated in confidence.”

To report a loan shark:

Call the 24/7 confidential hotline 0300 555 2222
Text ‘loan shark + your message’ to 60003
E-mailreportaloanshark@stoploansharks.gov.uk
Private message us on www.facebook.com/stoploansharksproject

• The National Trading Standards Board (NTSB) is a group of senior and experienced local government heads of trading standards, representing all trading standards services across England and Wales. The Board has been set up by the Government as part of changes to the consumer protection landscape and an enhanced role for trading standards.
• NTSB provides leadership influence, support and resources to help combat consumer and business detriment locally, regionally and nationally.
• The Stop Loan Sharks Project consists of three Illegal money lending teams in England, Scotland and Wales. The NTSB has responsibility for the England and Wales Illegal Money Lending Teams that are hosted by Birmingham City Council and Cardiff Council. There are separate arrangements in place in Scotland.
• Nationally, Illegal Money Lending Teams have secured 235 prosecutions for illegal money lending and related activity, leading to more than 157 years-worth of custodial sentences. They have written off £40.3 million worth of illegal debt and helped over 20,000 people.
• The Illegal Money Lending Teams in England and Wales work in partnership with local Trading Standards Authorities in their related countries. They consist of specialist officers who investigate and prosecute illegal money lending and related activity and LIAISE officers who support victims and raise awareness of the dangers of borrowing from illegal money lenders.
• The Men’s Health Forum (MHF) is the only charity providing an independent and authoritative voice for male health in England and Wales. It tackles the issues and inequalities affecting the health and well being of men and boys through partnership and it’s own publications, research and websites. Jim Pollard, a health writer and author of the acclaimed Users Guide To The Male Body (Sheldon) is the Forum’s editorial consultant.

The North Warwickshire B.O.B. Hubs are working with the Warwickshire Rural Growth Network to support new and established businesses in the area with surgeries hosted in Arley, Hartshill and Coleshill.

The Rural Growth Network has been set up by Warwickshire County Council on behalf of the Local Enterprise Partnership to provide free practical business advice, coaching and development workshops for new and established rural businesses, as well as start-up grants for new companies.

Firms already trading, or individuals thinking of starting a business, are invited to come to one of the surgeries to review and receive advice on how to increase success.

The surgeries are being held on the following dates in June:

Arley & St Michael’s Community Centre          18^th June 9am -12pm

Hartshill Community Centre                            19^th June  1pm -3pm

Coleshill Town Hall Community Hub               21^st June  9am-12pm

Cllr Alan Cockburn, Warwickshire County Council’s deputy leader who is responsible for economic development and a Director of the Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “We want to create an environment which allows rural businesses in the county the opportunity to flourish, and the aim of the Warwickshire Rural Growth Network is to provide the specialist help and support which is vital to new and existing companies.

“The surgeries are the start of the work we are doing in North Warwickshire, and this will be expanded countywide as we look to create more new start-ups and more jobs in the rural economy.”

Cllr Hayden Phillips, Deputy Leader of North Warwickshire Borough Council, said: “This is a vital new service for people in North Warwickshire to access at these difficult times for all small businesses and those thinking of setting up a business. Delivered from three council supported B.O.B. Hubs, we are very pleased to be able to support this exciting new partnership.”

For more information about the surgeries or the support available through the  Rural Growth Network and the range of services on offer, visit the RGN web site www.warwickshire.gov.uk/ruralgrowthnetwork, email ruralgrowthnetwork@warwickshire.gov.uk or call 01926 412709.

Warwickshire has seen a steady decline in the number of young people not in education, employment or training (NEET) from 6.7 per cent in 2006, cent to 3.6 per cent in 2012.

The Department for Education’s figures for last year equate to just 660 NEET young people which is the lowest number recorded in Warwickshire to date and compares well with other local authorities.

Closely behind Leicestershire, Warwickshire has the 2^nd lowest proportion of NEET youths within its group of eleven statistical neighbours (those local authorities deemed to have similar characteristics and used for benchmarking progress).

Sarah Callaghan, Warwickshire County Council’s Head of Service for Learning and Achievement, is very pleased with the results, she said: “The 2012/13 figures are great for Warwickshire and a testament to the hard work and commitment of so many of schools, colleges, training providers and other agencies.

“We will continue our work to engage with and support the county’s young people to help them get the necessary skills and qualifications to compete effectively in a tough market and improve their future job prospects.”

Warwickshire has a low overall NEET figure but these numbers are not uniformly low across the county and higher figures are noted in North Warwickshire, Nuneaton and Bedworth. A significant proportion of these young people are from vulnerable groups such as teenage parents, travellers and those accessing CAHMS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services).

The county council is committed to reducing these numbers and will be targeting support to the most at risk groups, for example by promoting internal apprenticeship opportunities at those young people leaving care. Tackling youth unemployment is a key performance measure in Warwickshire and the council will continue to work with local agencies and businesses to promote apprenticeships and work opportunities.

The Government’s ‘Raising the Participation Age’ (RPA) strategy will also support further reduction of NEET youngsters. This has raised the age that young people remain in education or training to age 17 from 2013 and will go up again to 18 from 2015.

The strategy offers flexibility to young people who are able to participate in a way that best suits their needs and aspirations; for instance in full-time education at school or college; on an Apprenticeship or part time if they are also working or volunteering full time^[1].

Warwickshire County Councillor Heather Timms, Portfolio Holder for Children and Young People said: “As we see more young people staying in education, or undertaking employment or training, it is important that we continue our work with key partners, education providers, and local businesses to meet the new duties under RPA and put in place effective support mechanisms to ensure all young people have the opportunity to progress and succeed.

“We need to work hard to convey the right messages about future careers so that we have a more timely supply of labour, skilled in the right areas. Combined with a targeted approach to encourage wider engagement from hard to reach groups we hope to report an even lower proportion of NEET youngsters next year.”

Claire and Nick live in the Nuneaton area and have a son aged five and look after a teenager in a permanent placement who has been with them for 7 years. Nick has been a foster carer for 17 years and Claire and Nick have been fostering together for eight years. They have been parent and child foster carers for the past two years and prior to this have done short term and respite fostering. In this time they have offered homes to over 20 children and had three parent and child placements.

Nick is a very experienced carer having looked after around 50 children in addition to those he has cared for with Claire. He became a foster carer because his mum and dad fostered while he was growing up and he enjoyed being part of a fostering household. He was able to see the benefits that fostering can bring both for the carers and for the children.

When Claire met Nick she wanted to join him in being a fostering family as she wanted to be able to help change the lives of troubled children. Claire was raised by a single mother and was able to stay in her care but she was aware at that time other children from single parent families may experience more problems and may have to be fostered. Claire said that when she began fostering it was an eye opening experience and she was able to see first-hand some of the issues faced by looked after children and their families.

Alongside their permanent placement Claire and Nick have specialised in providing Parent and Child places. The placements are easier when the parent (usually a mum) comes straight to their home from hospital so they can help to support the formation of a strong emotional bond. They help the mums to learn about care for their baby, establishing routines with the baby and caring for them in a warm and safe way. Claire remembers what it was like to be a new mum and so can empathise with the new mums in her care. She see it that no one really teaches you or prepares you about how to care for your baby and when you bring your baby home from hospital it is a learning curve and is happy to support this process.

Claire said that when mum’s come to stay with them with their baby she feels like they have something in common; the mum wants to keep her baby and Claire and Nick wants to help them to learn the skills so they can. Claire and Nick describe their role as teaching parenting skills, overseeing the mums in their parenting role and supervising and advising the parent. After 8-12 weeks a parenting assessment would start, carried out by Children’s Services to see whether the mum is able to put these new skills into action. The outcome of this assessment and the progress the mother has made during the placement inform whether a mother gets to keep her child long term.

Claire and Nick explained that in both of their longer term placements the mothers had problems in relation to their relationships with their baby’s father and this was the biggest challenge. There were concerns about domestic violence in the relationships between the parents and their role was to make the mother see that the baby was their priority and had to be protected. Claire said: “The mothers that stayed with us were able to be away from their own area so this helped them to have some distance and start a fresh.  We would talk to the mums about the impact of violence on them and their child and get advice from other agencies on how to help and support the mums through the transition of ending a violent relationship.”

Claire and Nick feel they have overcome challenges by communicating well with the mother in their care and other agencies involved so they can help and support the mother to make the right decisions for the sake of her baby.

Claire and Nick felt that if a mum was found not to be able to care for her child safely long term following a placement then this would be very sad and would be a big challenge for them as carers.

Claire and Nick feel very proud and happy that the parent and child placements they had for a longer term period were able to care for their babies well and were able to take their babies to live with them independently.

Claire says she would help new mums to realise the realities of caring for a baby and would support the mums to go to the local mother and baby groups and would encourage them to take courses at the local children’s centre.  Claire said she hoped that when the mums moved to homes of their own with their babies that they would get involved with their local groups and centres.

Claire and Nick think that Parent and Child carers need to be committed, understanding, patient, empathetic, happy to be challenged, able to work in partnership with the new mum and be able to give and take. Nick said: “It is important to be able to step back when a mum is doing well and be able to intervene when things aren’t going well or you feel that the baby may be at risk.”

In giving advice for anyone starting out as a Parent and Child carer, Nick said: “Try to build a positive working relationship with the parent you are supporting and this can be more difficult if the parent has a learning disability.

“Try to be prepared for both the best and worst case scenarios – we have been lucky and the mums we have cared for have kept their babies but it can be very sad for parents who are unable to gain the skills to keep their children long term.

“Always try to communicate well with your fostering social worker and other professionals involved and make good use of the support they can provide.

“Have clear guidelines and boundaries in place when a parent moves in so everyone knows where they stand.”

For more foster carer stories go to www.warwickshirefostering.wordpress.com.

For information about foster care in Warwickshirego to www.warwickshire.gov.uk/fostering.

Based on the famous James Bond jet pack from the film Thunderball, the Jetlev-Flyer is the ultimate adventure for thrillseekers who want to experience the adrenaline rush of flying across the water. Take off for the new venture at Kingsbury Water Park starts from June 1 and bookings are now being taken.

The Jetlev-Flyer has become a popular attraction for holidaymakers in America and Dubai and has recently landed on these shores – the Kingsbury Jetlev will be one of two operating in the country. It has already been seen in action by TV viewers on Channel Five’s Gadget Show and the BBC’s Daredevil programme.

The Jetlev-Flyer is now available to hire at Kingsbury for £100 for a 30 minute flight under instruction. Wetsuits and safety communications are all provided for participants to learn to fly the Jetlev-flyer under the supervision of qualified Jetlev pilots. Places can be booked on the ultimate flying experience by email to gary@jetlev-flyeruk.com or calling 07842 348 185.

Paula Cheesman, Country Parks Manager, said: “To be the one of the first venues in the country to be home to the Jetlev experience will certainly make a big splash for Kingsbury Water Park.

“We anticipate that this new venture will attract lots of people wanting a ‘red letter day’ or maybe a special birthday event. It offers something completely different to what is already on offer at the park and we look forward to seeing it in action on June 1.

“And even for those not flying, the Jetlev will make for a good spectator sport!”

The 600 acre North Warwickshire park is already home to a popular jet bike hire along with other visitor attractions such as pedal boats, miniature railway, fishing and much more.

For more information about the Jetlev visit the website at www.jetlev-flyeruk.com

County Record Office events

The following events and workshops take place at Warwickshire County Record Office, located at Priory Park, Cape Road, Warwick, CV34 4JS.

Unless otherwise stated, places must be booked in advance by calling Warwickshire County Record Office on 01926 738959.

• Military Ancestors in the 19th and 20th Centuries

Saturday 8June 9.15am to 12.15pm

This family history workshop with historian Jennifer Cranfield will explore how to track down your military ancestors from the 19^th and 20^th centuries.  Learn what records exist, both online and in record offices, and how to find them. Cost: £12

• Warwick’s Hidden Places

Wednesday 12 June starting at 7pm

A walk around Warwick looking at some of the lesser known places in Warwick led by local historian Christine Hodgetts.  Starting and finishing at the County Record Office, the walk will last about 1 ½ hours, concluding with coffee. Cost: £6, £5 concessions.  

This is a walking tour and we cannot guarantee any seating will be available at any point during the walk. Please wear footwear suitable for walking and clothing suited to the weather.

• Telling the Tale: Writing up Your Family History

Saturday 22 June 9.15am to 12.15pm

How do you make your family history come alive to others? This workshop provides practical suggestions on how to turn pages of family history research into a tale that your family and friends will want to hear. Cost: £12

• Temples, Shrines and Churches: the changing religious landscape of Warwickshire before the Dissolution.

Monday 24th June 10.00 am to 4.15 pm

This day school will explore some aspects of how the religious landscape of Warwickshire changed between prehistory and the later Middle Ages.  Discussion will encompass neighbouring areas as appropriate and focal points will range from the Rollright Stones on the Warwickshire / Oxfordshire border and a cursus monument at Barford, to the Roman temples at Coleshill, the medieval monastic church and the parish churches of Warwickshire. Cost: £15, please bring your own lunch

Tutors: Dr John Hunt, BA, PhD, FSA, FRHistS, PGCE, David Freke, MA, DipAD, FSA, MIFA.

• How our Ancestors Lived.

Saturday 29 June 9.15 am to 12.15 pm

What can you find out about the arrangement and function of rooms, how they were furnished and the sort of possessions that people had? This class discusses the information available, how to find it, and how to read some older examples. Cost: £12

Walks and tours

• Health from the Hedgerows

Join Lynne-Tann Watson, an author and workshop leader, on guided walks around Warwickshire.  These tours through areas of natural beauty will highlight the health and medicinal properties of wild plants and herbs across a variety of landscapes

Cost: £6 (£5 concessions).  Booking is essential, please telephone Heritage and Culture on 01926 412069 to book a place.

• Kingsbury Water Park

Wednesday 12th June starting at 11.30 am

Bodymoor Heath, Sutton Coldfield, B76 0DY. Meet at the Information Centre.  600 acres of country park.

These are walking tours and we cannot guarantee any seating will be available at any point during the walks.  Please wear footwear suitable for walking and clothing suited to the weather. Terrain is not suitable for pushchairs or wheelchairs.  Car parking charges may apply.  For more information on the individual parks please visit http://countryparks.warwickshire.gov.uk/country-parks/

St John’s Museum events

The following workshops take place at St John’s Museum, St John’s, Warwick, CV34 4NF. Unless otherwise stated, places must be booked in advance by calling or visiting St Johns Museum on 01926 412132 or Market hall Museum on 01926 412501 during museum opening hours.

• Make a Scented Summer Wreath

Saturday 15th June 10.15 am to 1.15 pm

Enjoy the scent of summer whatever the weather!  Make a Scented Summer Wreath with florist Kate Arnold to take away to dry and hang in your home. Bring along your own fresh herbs such as rosemary, thyme and lavender to personalise your wreath. Kate will provide the wreath and additional decorative materials. Cost: £20 price includes light refreshments Booking is essential on 01926 412132.

• Discovering the Victorians

Wednesday 26 June 7.30pm to 9.30pm

Explore our Victorian collection at St John’s Museum with our Victorian guide.  Come and see what school life was like in our Victorian classroom. Discover how people used to cook and clean in the past in our Victorian kitchen. View some of our Victorian costume collection and learn how what people wore reflected their social class. Cost: £6, £5 concessions, price includes refreshments

‘Terrific Toys’ looks at how children played in the past and which toys and pastimes were popular in Victorian times. Museum and library visitors during the week can discover how children used to play, look at a range of wonderful historic toys and make a puppet to take home.

Sessions are informative and lots of fun and are running at the following venues around the county.

Tuesday 28 May 2013

Leamington Spa Library 10.30am – 12.00noon

Wednesday 29 May 2013

Stratford-upon-Avon Library

10.30am – 12.00noon

Market Hall Museum, Warwick

10.30am – 12.00noon and 2.00pm – 3.30pm

Thursday 30 May 2013

Atherstone Library 10.30am – 12.00noon

Friday 31 May 2013

Rugby Library 10.30am – 12.00noon

Nuneaton Library 2.30pm – 4.00pm

‘Your Move!’ is taking place at St John’s Museum, Warwick on Friday 31 May. This session is a chance for people to come and challenge friends and family in different games from the past and make a 1940s table football game to take home. The event runs from 11.00am – 3.00pm and families are welcome to drop in anytime.

Tickets for all events are £2.50 per child, £1.00 for under 5s. Tickets must be booked in advance for library events but for museum events there is no need to book just drop in. To find your local library’s phone number please call 0300 555 8171. Children must be accompanied by an adult.