Content

9.1

The Strategic Director of Children’s
Services submitted a report to support detailed consideration of
the motion agreed by Full Council of 1st November 2023, that
‘Care Experienced’ is recognised as a protected
characteristic by Sheffield City Council.

 

 

9.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That
Strategy and Resources Policy Committee:-

 

 

 

(a) notes the resolution of Full Council on
1st November 2023 regarding Care Experienced People and the context
to that resolution as set out in this Report;
 
(b) endorses the principles set out in the
resolution and confirm that the Council will regard Care Experience
as a protected characteristic whilst noting that further work will
be required on the implementation of those principles/changes;
and
 
(c) agrees that further detail should be
provided in the forthcoming report “Equality Framework
Equality Is Everybody’s Business”.
 

9.3

Reasons for
Decision

 

 

9.3.1

As corporate parent, the Council has a
responsibility to provide the best possible care and safeguard
children who are looked after by us as an Authority. It
demonstrates Sheffield City Councils commitment as a Corporate
Parent to ending the disparity and inequality faced by care
experienced young people by going beyond our statutory requirements
and ensuring that the needs of care experienced young people are at
the heart of all our decision-making alongside other groups who
formally share a Protected Characteristic.
 

 

 

9.3.2

By formally recognising care leavers as a
protected characteristic the Committee are acknowledging those with
care experience can face discrimination, stigma, and prejudice. The
recognition demonstrates Committee’s commitment to advancing
equality of opportunity between those with care experience and
those without. By making ‘care experience’ a protected
characteristic SCC are demonstrating its commitment to Care Leavers
now as opposed to waiting for national reform to impose these
changes on our behalf.

 

 

9.3.3

Councillors should be champions of our looked
after children and young people and challenge the negative
attitudes and prejudice that exist; and The Public Sector Equality
Duty requires public bodies, such as councils, to have due regard
to the need to:-
(A) eliminate discrimination, harassment,
victimisation and any other conduct that is prohibited by or under
this Act;
(B) advance equality of opportunity between
persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons
who do not share it;
(C) foster good relations between persons who
share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not
share it

 

 

9.3.4

The decision to treat care experience as a
tenth protected characteristic would further cement the
Council’s existing strong track record as a corporate parent.
Performance and outcomes for care leavers are an important proxy
for the overall effectiveness of the children’s social care
system and the experience of children in care. It is not possible
to achieve good outcomes for care leavers unless the right children
come into care, for the right reasons and they are supported
effectively to reach their best potential during the time they are
in care.

 

 

9.4

Alternatives
Considered and Rejected

 

 

9.4.1

Future national reform may introduce care
experience as a characteristic under the Equalities Act in the
future. This was a key recommendation from the Care Review and is
currently being implemented by 72 Local Authorities nationally.