Coram Voice - getting young voices heard
Coram Voice champions the rights of children in care. We get young voices heard in decisions that matter to them and work to improve the lives of children in care, care leavers and others who depend upon the help of the state.
In the UK today there are over 75,420 children and young people reliant on the state for their care and wellbeing and the number is rising with 389,000 more needing some level of support from children’s services.
Coram Voice makes sure children know their rights and helps them to navigate the system, challenge decisions and make sure their rights and wellbeing are protected .
Over the last year Coram Voice worked with 9,400 children in care, care leavers and children dependant on the help of the state to make their voices heard in decisions that matter to them and to improve the system that supports them.
Coram Voice activities include:
- Always Heard, the only national advocacy advice line and safety net for children in and leaving care
- A national network of independent advocates
- Independent visitors, who become reliable adult support for children
- Independent persons who ensure children’s rights are upheld in the complaints process and at Secure Accommodation Reviews
- The Bright Spots Programme, the largest national survey of the views of children and young people in and leaving care in England
- Voices our national writing competition for children and young people in and leaving care
- A National Voice, our ambassador programme for care experienced children and young people