The inspirational work being done in the city to support children and young people in care is being highlighted in a new Channel 4 show ‘Kids’
The series gets up close and personal with six remarkable teenagers - and their families – in Coventry, as they enter a crucial year in their lives and prepare to leave the care system.
It also shows the dedicated social workers and foster carers who are helping them through difficult times and making sure they get the support they need to get the best possible start in life.
And if you’ve been inspired, you could sign up to be a social worker and join the Ofsted-rated ‘good’ team at the Council.
Coventry has a partnership approach to caring for children, with Council teams and other organisations across the city working together to allow easy communication and to support quick planning for children and families.
The teams offer daily sessions for some children where needed, and work as part of multi-agency teams including: the Police, Substance Misuse Services, Child Adolescent and Mental Health Services, and Speech and Language Therapy to name a few.
The first episode – which was screened on Wednesday (10 May) - introduced Xorin, who, was exploited as a young teen. Coventry’s social work teams work closely to protect children and prevent any exploitation or abuse, and children are at the forefront of all work, being given a voice and making sure they are listened to.
The Children’s Service’s Horizon Team and Youth Justice Service are at the heart of the work, and the Youth Justice Service has recently been rated as ‘outstanding’.
A typical day for a member of the teams can be hectic but exciting, for example:
- 9am - starting off with the daily triage session to review intelligence/arrests from the day/night before
- 10am – a family tree activity for a child at one of the city’s family hubs
- 12noon – back into the city centre and joining a parenting group led by the YJS Parenting Officer – having lunch with several parents and practitioners
- 2pm – attending a video conference to do a complex mapping meeting, to look at how children are connected following an incident
- 4pm – out to a home visit with a child, maybe baking brownies and completing a session on why they like certain music.
- Finally catch up with your manager and planning for the next day
When safe to do so, children are supported to access mentoring through community providers, like the Positive Youth Foundation, Coventry Boys’ and Girls’ Club, Guiding Young Minds, Aptitude and St Giles.
Take a look at a video co-designed with children by the Youth Justice Service.
If you’d like to learn more about becoming a social worker, the Council is holding an Open Evening for prospective social workers at the Council House on Thursday 25 May from 4pm – 8pm.
Why not go along and meet some of those featured in the TV show and find out more about Coventry, what we are doing, and the opportunities to join our wonderful team? Please complete a short Form to tell us you’re coming.
You can see more about the series and the Council’s work in caring for children and young people at www.coventry.gov.uk/kids
The show airs on 10, 17 and 24 May and is also available on All