Thurrock Council has approved a motion to recognise 'care experience' as a locally protected characteristic, aligning with the Equality Act 2010 provisions.
This landmark move aims to address the unique challenges faced by care experienced young people, ensuring equal opportunities and support to help them thrive in both their personal and professional lives.
The Equality Act 2010 currently covers characteristics like race, disability, and gender, but does not include 'care experience'.
Statistics show that care experienced young people often face poorer outcomes compared to their peers. Nationally, a significant proportion of the homeless and prison populations have care backgrounds, and many struggle with education and employment.
By recognising 'care experience' as a protected characteristic, the council aims to address these disparities by offering equal access to opportunities and providing a supportive environment for these young people to thrive.
The motion was passed at a meeting of full Council on Wednesday 24 July. Councillors were joined by 2 care experienced young people who also spoke in support of the motion, emphasizing the importance of this initiative.
The Thurrock Young Voices Group, comprising young people aged 11 to 25, played a crucial role in advocating for the change, drawing attention to similar actions by other local authorities. Recognising 'care experience' as a protected characteristic will ensure these young individuals receive the support and encouragement needed to reach their potential.
Thurrock has a significant number of children in care and care leavers, and the council has been proactive in providing extensive support, including housing, education, and employment assistance. This new measure will further enhance these efforts, offering guaranteed interviews for council job vacancies to care-experienced applicants who meet the criteria.
Cllr Vikki Hartstean, Cabinet member for Children's Services, who brought the motion before Council, said: "Recognising 'care experience' as a protected characteristic is a vital step towards ensuring our young people receive the support and opportunities they deserve.
"This motion reflects our commitment to standing by our care experienced youth, providing them with the same protections as those with legally recognised characteristics under the Equality Act 2010.
"By taking this step, we are fostering an environment where every young person can thrive and reach their full potential, free from discrimination and stigma."