News
Welcome to the news page! Okay, maybe a news page isn’t the most exciting thing in the world, but it will help you to keep up to date with all the latest information and groups going on in Devon.
Your thoughts about the Care Review
12th November 2021
Coram Voice have just published their A National Voice report on ‘What children and young people wanted to say to the Care Review’
Check out what was said about the Care Review
We’re hiring!
11th November 2021
We’re looking for an experienced youth worker to come and join our wonderful participation team! Closing date is 22 November!
Top tips poster competition
5th November 2021
Got some artistic talent and want to help people who work with you to be the best they can be? Then we have the perfect competition for you!
Enter our amazing poster competition!
Explore creatively with Kooth
2nd November 2021
We’re teaming up with Kooth to offer a series of creative art sessions! The sessions will run every Wednesday until 8 December 2021.
National Care Leavers’ Week 2021
6th October 2021
National Care Leavers’ Week will be running from 25-31 October, and we’ve got lots of events lined up to celebrate it properly! Find out what’s happening near you!
Find Care Leavers’ Week events near you
Education, Employment and Training Survey Results
4th October 2021
A big thank you to all the care leavers who took the time to fill out our education, employment and training survey this summer! Here’s what you told us and what we’re going to do as a result.
Check out the results of the survey
NYAS campaign on belongings and moving home
15th July 2021
In Autumn this year, the National Youth Advocacy Service will be launching a campaign focused on belongings and moving home – and they’ve launched a survey to help shape the campaign.
Summer Activities
6th July 2021
You’ve got the chance to take part in a range of activities, from outdoor adventures to a range of awesome hands on art activities.
Discover what activities you can take part in
Bright Spots Survey 2021 findings
30th June 2021
Here is what you all told us about what your life is like, and what we want to do because of what you said.
Check out the Bright Spots 2021 results
Local Offer photo competition
15th June 2021
Calling all Care Leavers! We need your pictures for our new Local Offer – and your images could earn you a free Amazon voucher!
Find out how enter your photos
National Care Review – online discussion
27th May 2021
As someone with experience of care, you’ve got a valuable perspective on what needs to change, and you might even have some suggestions on how to do it!
Find out how to join the conversation
Picnic to discuss the new local offer
19th May 2021
We’re having a picnic on 27 May. Come along to talk to senior managers about the new local offer plan and how we’ll be working with you to co-produce it.
Care after 21 – May update session
14th May 2021
On 20 May, we are holding a virtual session to give an update on and discuss the new local offer plan and the design of the 21+ care offer.
Find out more about the 21+ feedback session
What’s on in May?
3rd May 2021
We’re running lots of virtual groups throughout May! Check out what’s coming up this month and how to get involved with the sessions.
The Big Ask national survey
20th April 2021
The Children’s Commissioner for England has just launched a national survey to find out what your priorities for improving childhood post-COVID are.
Let us know your views about education, employment and training
Education, employment, and training opportunities for care leavers
9th April 2021
We want to strengthen our education, employment, and training offer to care leavers in Devon. So, we want to hear your views!
Let us know your views about education, employment and training
Kids Corner – Easter edition
8th April 2021
Our Kids Corner newsletter is full of lots of fun things to do, like word searches and pictures to colour! Plus there’s a recipe for some super tasty Rice Krispie nests!
Check out the Easter newsletter
Care after 21 – next steps
8th March 2021
Using your experiences, ideas and suggestions that talked to us about in December, we’ve set out a plan that’s been set out for how we can improve care after 21.
The next steps in our plan to improve care after 21
Returning to school
8th March 2021
If you’re struggling to adjust to the change, or would like to talk to someone about your mental health in general, support is available to you.
What’s on in March?
1st March 2021
We’re running lots of virtual groups throughout March! Check out what’s coming up this month and how to get involved with the sessions.
Our roadmap out of lockdown
25th February 2021
We are so excited to be able to see you all again in person! That’s right, from April, we will be able to hold face-to-face groups in the youth centres once more. Here’s our plan for March and returning to face-to-face session in April
Check out our roadmap out of lockdown
New Kids Corner newsletter
11th February 2021
Our Kids Corner newsletter is chock full of lots of fun things to do, like quizzes, word searches and pictures to colour! This edition has a special Valentine’s theme!
Key points from the Life Stories focus group
8th February 2021
We held a focus group for care leavers to discuss Life Story work. These are your suggestions for how things could improve.
Here’s what you said about Life Stories
What’s on in February?
1st February 2021
We’re running lots of virtual groups throughout February! Check out what’s coming up this month and how to get involved with the sessions.
Focus group to discuss Life Story work
7th January 2021
Were holding a focus group for care leavers on 12 January to discuss how we can improve our Life Story work in Devon – and we would love to hear your views on how we should do this!
Find out more about Life Story work
Change to group timetables
6th January 2021
We’ve had to cancel our face-to-face sessions until the restrictions are lifted, but we’ve got some great virtual events taking place instead!
Find out more about our new group timetable
Guidance about the new national lockdown
6th January 2021
The Government has announced a new national lockdown. Here’s what the new restrictions mean for you.
Guidance about the new national lockdown
Key points from the 21+ focus group
17th December 2020
We held a focus group for care leavers to discuss what kind of support you need after the age of 21. These are your suggestions for how things could improve.
Read more about how you think support after 21 can be improved
Christmas newsletter
3rd December 2020
We are excited to announce the launch of a brand activity page for children in care! And we’re kicking things off with a special Christmas edition!
Christmas events!
3rd December 2020
We want to make sure you all have a right good Christmas party to see the year out in style with. So we’re doing exactly that with lots of parties across the county to celebrate with you all!
Find out how you can join one of our Christmas parties
New COVID-19 tiers
27th November 2020
When the national restrictions end, Devon will be in Tier 2. Here’s what that means for you.
Find out what the new tiers mean for you
Bright Spot survey
25th November 2020
Have you taken part in Bright Spots this year? It’s an annual survey by Coram Voice that helps us to understand what makes life and care good for you and what needs to be improved.
Let us know if you’d still like to take part in Bright Spots
Care leaver focus group – support after 21
24th November 2020
We’re holding a focus group for care leavers to discuss what kind of support you need after the age of 21.
Find out how to join the focus group
Congratulations to our care leavers!
19th November 2020
We’re always so proud of our Children in Care and Care Leavers who speak up on behalf of others and campaign to see things improve for young people. So a special well done to Ellie Cooper, Zara Clench and Luke White!
Read more about what they’ve been up to
The Children’s Commissioner’s Virtual Event
19th November 2020
The online event will event takes place on 24th November and will set out the Commissioner’s vision for a better care system for children.
Find out how you can watch the event
Changes to groups during the November lockdown
10th November 2020
Now that we’re in the period of new national restrictions, we’ve had to make some changes to our children in care and care leaver groups this month.
See the changes made to groups
This November is Care Month!
9th November 2020
The Children’s Commissioner is dedicating the whole month to talking about improving the care system, and they’d like to know what you think!
Find out how to get involved with Care Month
What information do you need right now?
4th November 2020
We want to know what information and advice you need right now, so that we can provide the right guidance for you in the right way.
Tell us what guidance you need
Build Back Better – our offer to care leavers
21st October 2020
We’re staging a virtual workshop on 27th October to discuss how we can build a better offer for care leavers, and we’d love for you to join us!
Join the South West Youth Summit
11th October 2020
The next South West Youth Summit is coming up this month, and it’s a great opportunity to get your voice heard!
Join the South West Youth Summit
World Mental Health Day
10th October 2020
10th October is World Mental Health Day. And prioritising mental health has never been more important than it is now.
Discover what mental health support is available
X-Plore sessions are back!
9th October 2020
If you’re LGBTQ and aged between 13 and 19, X-Plore offer a range of fun social activities and safe space for you to discuss your specific needs.
Find out more about X-Plore sessions
Lonely Not Alone campaign launches
7th October 2020
The second phase of the Lonely Not Alone campaign launches this week, and it aims to raise awareness of, and help to tackle, youth loneliness.
Learn more about the Lonely Not Alone project
We need your feedback about the updated Local Offer!
5th October 2020
We’ve recently reviewed and updated our Local Offer to care leavers, and we want to know what you think about it!
Give feedback on the Local Offer now!
Rees Foundation’s Driving Project
28th September 2020
Get free driving lessons thanks through Rees Foundation and pass your test in no time!
Book your place on the Driving Project
Young Devon skills courses
22nd September 2020
If you’re aged between 16 and 25, Young Devon are offering free courses to help you develop your self-confidence, earn qualifications and move onto employment or apprenticeships.
Changes to virtual group timetable
17th September 2020
We’re making some small changes to our virtual group timetable.
Care Leavers Ofsted focus group
16th September 2020
If you’re 16+ and want to share your views, please join us on Tuesday 22nd September from 6-7pm.
Focus group to improve mental health support
7th September 2020
We’re hosting a focus on 9 September for you to explore the issue, discuss improvements and put forward some new proposals to make the service better.
Returning to school
28th August 2020
Helpful information, advice and guidance to help you return to school this September, including safety measures info and mental health support.
More information about returning to school
Website Updates
18th August 2020
We’ve been work on tidying up and improving the website so that you can easily find the information that you need!
Find out about the changes we’ve made
A-level and GCSE results
12th August 2020
As some of you will be aware of, A-level and GCSE exam results are out very soon – but the pandemic means that things are a little different this year.
What you need to know about this year’s results
Rees Foundation’s Wellbeing Week
7th August 2020
From 10th to 14th August, Rees Foundation are running a series of online events designed to help boost your wellbeing and mental health.
Find out how you can get involved
Health Passports
28th July 2020
If you are 16 years old or older, or are a carer supporting a young person, make sure you check out the Devon health passport – they’re really useful!
Be Inspired Online 2020
27th July 2020
Be Inspired is an event that seeks to Inspire, Empower and Equip you with the tools that you need to take hold of your future, and there are sessions every day this week!
Find out how you can get involved
What you need to know about face coverings
24th July 2020
Everything you need to know about face coverings and the new changes that will be introduced across the country on Friday 24 July.
Get up to date on the new rules
What can and can’t I do?
29th June 2020
Guidance is available to help you understand the latest changes to the lockdown restrictions, which are due to come in to effect on Saturday 4 July.
Learn more about the new guidelines
Devon Sexual Health clinics
26th June 2020
A reminder that Devon Sexual Health clinics in Exeter, Barnstaple and Torbay are open and remain confidential.
What makes a good social worker?
24th June 2020
Earlier this month we asked children in care aged 10-15 “What are the main ingredients for a good social worker?”
Harry Potter virtual group
22nd June 2020
On Thursday 25th June we are running a special Harry Potter themed virtual session for children in care!
Find out how to get your place at Hogwarts
Pride and LGBTQ+ groups in Devon
22nd June 2020
There is a great range of empowering support and social groups for LGBTQ+ young people in Devon.
Change the Label!
22nd June 2020
Last month we told you about A National Voice’s new campaign to tackle stigma. Well, now, we have an update for you!
Surveys exploring lockdown experiences
16th June 2020
TACT, and Research in Practice have developed surveys to explore experiences of life under lockdown – and they’d love to hear from you!
Social distancing guidance for young people
5th June 2020
The government has produced new guidance about what you can do to stay alert and safe during as we move into the next phase of coronavirus (COVID-19).
Mental Health Awareness Week
18th May 2020
This week is Mental Health Awareness Week, the UK’s national week to raise awareness of mental health and mental health problems.
“A National Voice” – Campaign to improve the care system
13th May 2020
“A National Voice” (ANV) is a national Children in Care council that aims to improve the care system through the voices of care experienced young people.
Mental health support and advice
12th May 2020
It’s important that we all look after ourselves during these extraordinary times, especially our mental health. If you need help, there’s plenty of support out there for you.
Discover what support is available
Mind Of My Own’s mindfulness plan
28th April 2020
To help overcome the challenges of coronavirus, the Mind Of My Own team have been working on an amazing mindfulness project to help you stay engaged while stuck indoors.
Personal Education Plans
17th April 2020
Coronavirus is having a big impact on everyone’s lives, but the Virtual School are trying to keep things as normal as possible.
Find out about changes to PEPs during the outbreak
Weekly art competitions
7th April 2020
We’ve launched weekly art competitions to help you stay in touch with your creative side during the coronavirus lockdown.
Learn more about our art competitions
Children in Care Nurses
3rd April 2020
During the coronavirus outbreak Children in Care Nurses continue to be available to offer support with any health queries.
Contact details available here
The Rees Foundation
2nd April 2020
We know lockdown can be a stressful time! If you need extra support, you can always contact the Rees Foundation.
More details about the Rees Foundation can be found here
COVID-19 and virtual groups
30th March 2020
The Participation Team are now running virtual groups and online activities!
Find out more about our virtual groups
Ofsted inspection
17th March 2020
At the beginning of 2020, Ofsted carried out a three-week inspection of Children’s Services at Devon County Council.
Read more about the Ofsted inspection
Website improvements
1st March 2020
We have started work on tidying up and improving our website. Over time the site had become a bit of a jumble sale, and we know it’s important that information is easy to find, easy to understand and accurate!
Please stick with us while we do some of the essential work over the coming weeks.
If you have come here to find something but are having difficulties please email us at participation@devon.gov.uk, and we’ll be happy to help.