This week marked a significant milestone for Drive Forward Foundation (DFF) as we attended our first party conference. From September 22-25, our team immersed themselves in the bustling atmosphere of the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool, engaging with policymakers, attending crucial sessions, and advocating for the rights of care-experienced young people.

➡️ Read about Kadiatu’s experience at the Labour Party Conference 2024

A Voice for Care-Experienced Youth

Our presence at the conference was more than just attendance; it was a statement. With our Director of Fundraising, Policy & Communications, Juno Schwarz, and Political Engagement and Policy Manager, Will Kerridge, leading the charge, we ensured that the voices of care-experienced young people were heard loud and clear. We were especially proud to have Kadiatu and Shimron, members of our Policy Forum and lived experience experts, join us on Monday, bringing authentic perspectives to the forefront of political discussions.

Key Sessions and Insights

Throughout the conference, we attended several sessions that aligned closely with our mission to support care-experienced young people into fulfilling employment and independent lives. Here are some key takeaways:

1. Children’s Social Care Reform: In the “Daring To Care” session, Janet Daby MP, Minister for Children and Families, highlighted the upcoming Children and Wellbeing Bill. This presents a significant opportunity for reforming children’s social care services, including those responsible for care-experienced young people. The focus on employment as a means to improve young people’s wellbeing aligns perfectly with DFF’s mission. Our Policy Forum members, Kadiatu and Shimron, asked about how care-experienced young people would benefit from Labour’s proposed Youth Hubs that aim to reduce youth crime through employability and mental health support. Kadiatu raised a powerful point about ensuring that care-experienced youth, who are often excluded from mainstream opportunities, would be supported through this model. Janet Daby’s response highlighted the intention to include care-experienced youth in these services, though much of the detail remains to be seen. This interaction set the tone for the rest of the conference—hopeful, determined, and focused on ensuring that our young people have access to the same opportunities as their peers.
2. Breaking the Class Ceiling: The session on socio-economic diversity emphasized the need for better tracking of social mobility in employment. This resonates with our long-standing advocacy for better data collection on care-experienced young people in the job market.
3. Criminal Justice Reform: The “Crime and Punishment?” session underscored the importance of early intervention and rehabilitation, particularly relevant given the overrepresentation of care-experienced young people in the criminal justice system.
4. Apprenticeships and Youth Employment: Discussions on boosting support for apprenticeships highlighted the need for tailored approaches. We at DFF argue that current apprenticeship structures often fail to meet the unique needs of care-experienced young people, particularly in terms of providing sustainable living wages.
5. Building Bright Futures: Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson’s recognition of the need for greater attention to children’s social care, especially for care-experienced young people, was encouraging. The government’s commitment to a “mission-driven” approach and cross-departmental collaboration aligns with our holistic view of support for care leavers.

Aligning with Labour’s Vision

The Labour Party Conference provided a platform for the party to outline its vision for the future of the UK. Many of the themes discussed resonated strongly with DFF’s mission and policy objectives.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer, in his keynote speech, emphasised the government’s commitment to creating opportunities for all, regardless of background. This aligns closely with our work to ensure care-experienced young people have access to the same quality of opportunities as their peers.

Starmer’s focus on reforming public services to better serve communities aligns with our advocacy for improved support systems for care leavers. His pledge to prioritise mental health services also echoes our call for dedicated mental health support tailored to the needs of care-experienced young people.

However, we also identified areas where DFF can bridge gaps in policy. While Labour’s commitment to youth employment is commendable, we believe there’s room for more targeted support for care leavers, who face unique challenges in entering and progressing in the job market.

DFF’s Policy Recommendations

Based on our conference experiences and ongoing work, we’re reinforcing our key policy recommendations:

1. Housing: We’re advocating for a Local Authority Rental Guarantor and Deposit Scheme for care-experienced young people, addressing one of the most significant barriers to independent living.
2. Protected Characteristic: We continue to push for care-experience to be recognized as a protected characteristic in legislation, ensuring legal protection against discrimination.
3. Mental Health: Our call for dedicated mental health services tailored for care leavers aligns with the broader focus on mental health support discussed at the conference.
4. Criminalization: We’re urging for a statutory duty on local authorities to impliment local protocols to reduce the criminalisation of care-experienced young people, building on the discussions around criminal justice reform.
5. Universal Credit: We’re advocating for the upper rate of Universal Credit for all care leavers at 18, providing crucial financial support during their transition to independence.
6. Opportunity: Our push for expanded care leaver internship schemes within public sector organizations aligns with Labour’s focus on creating meaningful employment opportunities for young people.

Looking Ahead: Our Upcoming Campaign

Our experience at the Labour Party Conference has energised our upcoming campaign, which focuses on creating equal quality opportunities for care-experienced young people. We aim to reduce the percentage of care leavers who are NEET (Not in Employment, Education, or Training) from the current 40% to match the national average of around 13%.

This campaign isn’t just about numbers; it’s about ensuring that care-experienced young people have access to the same quality of opportunities as their peers. It’s about breaking down barriers, challenging stereotypes, and creating a society where your start in life doesn’t determine your future.

Conclusion

Our first foray into the world of party conferences has been inspiring, challenging, and ultimately, empowering. We’ve made valuable connections, shared our expertise, and most importantly, ensured that the voices of care-experienced young people were heard in the corridors of power.

As we move forward, we’re more committed than ever to our mission. We’ll continue to advocate, to challenge, and to drive forward change. Because every young person, regardless of their care experience, deserves the chance to build a fulfilling, independent life.

Stay tuned for more updates on our campaign and ways you can support our work. Together, we can create a future where care-experienced young people thrive, not just survive.