Action on Aftercare Consortium
AIMS:
The Action on Aftercare Consortium seeks to promote the best interests of young people who are leaving or have left the UK care system. We seek to:- identify and highlight the key issues of concern for young people leaving care
- promote the development of needs-driven services in support of young people
- improve provision, policy and practice for young people preparing to leave care and afterwards, and
- promote the concept of throughcare.
Our three primary aims in working towards these objectives are:
1. To bring about positive change for care leavers
Based on the direct experience of our members we will undertake, and support, activities and initiatives to improve leaving and aftercare services.
2. To involve young people
We aim to incorporate the views of young people in our discussions and development of proposals for improvements in leaving and aftercare services – either directly or indirectly. We will pay particular regard to the expressed wishes and aspirations of young people.
3. To work together to achieve shared objectives
We bring together agencies, including statutory and voluntary service providers and associated specialist agencies, who are committed to working together to support the development of improved leaving and aftercare services for young people. We provide a forum for the sharing of research and good practice with the objective of developing proposals for positive changes in policy, training, practice and resource allocation as they relate to leaving and aftercare services.
WHAT THE CONSORTIUM DOES
The Consortium meets bi-monthly. Working groups are formed as needed, and we communicate primarily through email. All members receive agendas, minutes and all associated papers. We respond to relevant Government consultations, commission research, and publish such documents as Setting the agenda: what’s left to do in leaving care.
Membership
The Action on Aftercare Consortium has a wide and varied membership, all of whom wish to improve the services and outcomes for looked-after children and care leavers. Membership Includes the following organisations:Barnardo’s; Centrepoint; East Leaving Care Forum; East Midlands Leaving Care Forum; East Sussex County Council; Fostering Network; John Short; London Boroughs: Hackney, Hammersmith & Fulham, Kensington & Chelsea, Richmond, Tower Hamlets; London Leaving Care Managers Network; London & South East Aftercare Forum; National Children’s Bureau; National Leaving Care Advisory Service; NCH; NCY Trust; North East Leaving Care Forum; North West After Care Forum; Prince’s Trust; Rainer; Save the Children; Shaftesbury Young People; South East Leaving Care Forum; Southwest Leaving Care Forum; Spurgeon’s Child Care; St. Basil’s Centre; Voice; West Midlands Leaving Care Forum; What Makes the Difference? Project; Who Cares? Trust; Yorkshire/Humber Leaving Care Forum
Membership is open to organisations and individuals who support the aims of the Action on Aftercare Consortium.
Although local authorities can join as individual organisations, they can also affiliate through an existing regional leaving-care forum.
Officers
Joint Chairs: Sheree Kane (SKane@ncb.org.uk) & Jane Sufian (jane.sufian@raineronline.org)
Hon Sec: Ena Fry (ena.fry@fostering.net)
Treasurer: Jenny Robson (jenny.robson@thewhocarestrust.org.uk)
For more information about AoAC, please contact Sheree Kane.
This link takes you to AoAC minutes of meetings, publications and work