Tackling exploitation with mentoring: Serenity Welfare’s Emily Aklan to speak at The Children in Care Conference 2021

...lfare and secure transport services for looked-after children and young people. Its CEO, Emily Aklan [pictured], will be attending this year’s conference as a guest speaker after Serenity was recognised as a market leader through its Hope Instead of Handcuffs campaign. Speaking to The Leaders Council, Aklan commented: “We are delighted that Serenity Welfare has been recognised as market leaders through our current campaign, and that considering this I have been requested to be a guest speaker at this year’s Children in Care Conference. This is truly a privilege.” Aklan intends to use the platform as an opportunity to address the emerging issue of c...

Children in care should not be put in handcuffs when being transported

...On World Children’s Day, the Labour MPs Sarah Championand John McDonnell write to support the Hope instead of Handcuffs campaign Saturday 20 November marks World Children’s Day, the anniversary of the UN general assembly’s adoption of the convention of the rights of the child (UNCRC). But despite the UK ratifying the UNCRC in 1991, many children in care are being treated in a way that violates this convention. According to the UN committee on the rights of the child, restraint against children should only be used if the child poses an imminent danger to themselves or others, under the direct supervision of a medical professional, and only after all other...

Serenity Welfare's radio adverts

...Have a listen to our wonderful radio adverts.  ...

How can we help children in a mental health crisis?

...Emily Aklan is Founder & CEO of Serenity Welfare, a children’s welfare provider offering a range of services from secure transport to crisis intervention. With the effects of the pandemic undoubtedly impacting on the wellbeing of children, there has never been a time when promoting good mental health of children in care has been so important. Care Talk caught up with Emily to find out how a child-centred approach can be practically and successfully applied to children suffering from mental health problems. The pandemic has had a hard impact on cared-for children’s mental health, as it has on all children, what can the industry be doing right now to help...

We must pledge to change our approach to looked-after children

...Children in the care system are some of the most at risk in our society. As the scandals of recent years have shown, when issues arise in this system the voices of looked after children are often lost or silenced. One problem that is clear time and again is that children from troubled backgrounds are often treated as a problem to be solved rather than a person to be nurtured. A recent report ‘Lives transformed, potential fulfilled’ detailed the impact that this has: children who have been in care make up 25% of the homeless and 24% of the prison population, and just 13% of care leavers progress to higher education by the age of 19. Mental hea...

CALL FOR MORE YOUTH WORKERS TO TACKLE EMERGING GANGS THREAT

...  CALL FOR MORE YOUTH WORKERS TO TACKLE EMERGING GANGS THREAT Fiona SimpsonTuesday, April 27, 2021 The pandemic has changed the methods criminal gangs use to exploit children. Experts say the shift is exposing young people from rural and affluent areas to greater risks, who will need the support of 10,000 more youth workers. Gangs use social media to groom and recruit children in their criminal operations. Picture: Brian/Adobe Stock Gangs exploiting vulnerable children to carry out criminal activity have adapted their approach during the Covid-19 pandemic creating new risks for young people, campaigners warn. Despite three national lockdow...