MP writes to Secretary of State in support of Hope Instead of Handcuffs Campaign

This week Marsha de Cordova, MP for Battersea, asked in a written question to the Secretary of State for Education,  "what steps he is taking to end the handcuffing and restraint of children in the care system by private secure transportation providers". This follows a successful drop-in session hosted last week in the House of Commons by serenity welfare in the name of the Hope Instead of Handcuffs campaign which was attended by 22 MPs....

Children's rights campaigner Aklan calls for change of narrative around looked after children

Writing for CareTalk, Emily Aklan, founder of serenity welfare and the children’s rights campaigner behind the Hope Instead of Handcuffs initiative, calls for a change of attitude around vulnerable young people and urges government to help dispel the myth that such youngsters are responsible for their own troubles and invest in the services they require. In my many years of working with vulnerable young people, one thing which never fails to shock me is the negative attitudes targeted towards children in care. The archaic view of looked after children as “little thugs”, responsible for their problems, is more widespread than we might like to admit....

?Finalist for the Stars of Children & Young People Awards ?

We are incredibly proud to share that our CEO, Emily Aklan, has been shortlisted as a finalist for the Stars of Children & Young People Awards ? Emily has been recognised in the Outstanding Contribution to Children’s Services Award, reflecting her unwavering commitment to supporting, empowering and inspiring young people. This recognition reflects the impact of the work being delivered every day—supporting young people to feel heard, valued and equipped to move forward with confidence. At serenity welfare, we deliver bespoke, holistic support for children and young people, creating safe and nurturing environments where they feel valued, supported, an...

CARE-EXPERIENCED YOUNG PEOPLE MORE LIKELY TO RECEIVE CRIMINAL CONVICTION THAN PEERS, FIGURES SHOW

More than half of looked-after children born in 1994 had a criminal conviction by the time they were 24, official figures have shown. The data, published by the Office for National Statistics, shows that 52 per cent of care-experienced young people were handed a criminal conviction by age 24, compared with 13 per cent of their non care experienced peers of the same age. One in seven care experienced children, whose data was examined for the research, received an immediate custodial sentence by the time they were 24, compared with one per cent of young people with no experience of care of the same age. Special report: Social, emotional and mental health...

'All of Manchester's children deserve to live in a safe, warm and loving environment'

This Christmas, over 1,300 children in Manchester were living in the city's care system - a seven per cent increase on last year. More children in care means that the system is coming under more pressure, local politicians have warned. MP for Wythenshawe and Sale East, Mike Kane, is calling for more government support to help the sector. The labour politician has shared his opinion with the M.E.N on what needs to be done to ensure vulnerable children in Manchester are given the safe home they need. READ MORE:The Manchester sanctuary that's keeping young women safe this Christmas The festive season is a time for families to spend quality time together and...

Britain’s most inspiring women in business crowned at national awards

The business women leading the way in their industries have been named in the second annual Great British Businesswoman Awards. The programme launched in 2021 to recognise the growing number of trailblazing women in business leadership and entrepreneurship, champion their peers and advocates, and inspire the next generation of businesswomen. In 2021, over 140,000 female-founded companies were established, a figure that is growing by a third every year, and the number of women in leadership positions in FTSE 100 companies increased to 32.5%, from 30.6% in 2020. It’s thought that this increase in representation of women in business could unlock a huge amount...