Looked After Children get Princess Diana award

Latest news in Yorkshire: October 08, 2018 09:26:22 AM

#wathupondearne

Inspirational children who have lived in care in Rotherham have been
given a prestigious Princess Diana Award for their courage and efforts.

The Looked After Children’s Council (LACC), run by Rotherham Council,
was publically honoured for the work they have done to campaign for
rights for children in care.

In particular the award was given to them for the work they did earlier
this year to campaign to ensure bin liners were not used as suitcases
when children moved between foster care placements.

The Diana Award charity was set up in memory of Princes William and
Harry’s late mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, and her belief that young
people have the power to change the world.

The charity fosters, develops and inspires positive change in the lives
of young people through three key programmes which include; a mentoring
programme for young people at risk, a youth-led anti-bullying
ambassador’s campaign and a prestigious award which publicly recognises
young people – The Diana Award.

The LACC were presented with the award at a star-studded ceremony in
Leeds last Friday.

Member Kaylen, aged 13 said: “It was amazing to get this award, we feel
really proud to have been given this for the work we have done as a
group. I definitely want to keep on campaigning to make sure our voices
as young people are heard, especially when it comes to anything which
involves children in care.”

The group led a campaign to stop the practice of children’s personal
belongings being transported in black bin liners between foster
placements.

As a result the Council has adopted a new policy that prohibits the use
of bin liners for moving personal belongings, and the campaign is now
being picked up by other local authorities nationally.

Councillor Gordon Watson, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Children
and Young People’s Services said: “Well done to the children and young
people from the LACC for getting this award. They are truly
inspirational people and this reward recognises the difference they have
already made for other young people now and in the future.

“I am so proud of them. It takes real courage to be able to do something
like this, and even more so given the hardship these children have
already known in their young lives.”

The LACC, who were given the award alongside other children from schools
and institutions across the North East and Yorkshire region, has already
shared its “Bin Liners are Not Suitcases” campaign at the Children in
Care Councils’ regional meeting at Leeds University and nationally
through the Children’s Commissioner for England, Anne Longfield.

Tessy Ojo, Chief Executive, The Diana Award, added Rotherham LAC Council
were a committed and enthusiastic group of young people who work
selflessly to transform services and improve the lives of looked after
children. She said: “We know by receiving this honour they will inspire
more young people to get involved in their communities and begin their
own journey as active citizens, creating a positive ripple effect across
communities in the UK and the world.

“At The Diana Award we value and invest in young people encouraging them
to continue to make positive change in their communities and lives of
others.”
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