This presentation outlines the key areas of learning from the completion of the BRIGHT SPOTS survey in 2024.
The survey aimed to hear the experience of children in care and care experienced young people, providing a picture of the key areas of their lives in the BCP area. It provides a basis from which BCP council and corporate parents can identify what we are doing well, and what could be improved for our young people.
Minutes:
The Children’s Rights and Engagement Manager presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'B' to these Minutes in the Minute Book. The Board considered the following issues:
�? Bright Spots Survey
The Bright Spots Survey is a national tool used to understand the experiences of children in care and care-experienced young people. It was commissioned by BCP Council through Coram Voice, and the results were gathered over several months. The survey focused on what young people feel about their lives, relationships, support, and future. It provided a basis from which BCP Council as corporate parents could identify what was going well, and what could be improved for young people. Young people shared personal stories gathered from CEYP and CIC, highlighting both positive and difficult experiences
? What Went Well - Areas where BCP performed better than the national average:
· Trusted Adults: Many young people said they had someone they could talk to about things that mattered to them.
· Access to Nature and Outdoor Spaces: Children and young people appreciated having access to parks, beaches, and green spaces.
· Digital Access: Older care-experienced young people reported good access to smartphones and the internet.
· Positive Relationships: When young people knew who their social worker or PA was, they often described those relationships positively.
· Pets: Having a pet was mentioned as a source of comfort and emotional support, especially for younger children.
Areas for Improvement - These were the key challenges identified by young people:
?? Mental Health & Wellbeing
· Young people reported feeling anxious, lonely, or unhappy.
· Some said they didn’t feel listened to or supported when they were struggling.
· Need for more consistent, accessible mental health support.
?? Finance
· financial struggles, including, debt, lack of budgeting support, the failure of benefits to cover rent, food, and travel
· Some said they were better off not working due to how benefits were structured.
???????? Relationships
· Frequent changes in social workers or PAs, which made it hard to build trust.
· Feeling like a burden when asking for help, especially if they were told their worker had a high caseload.
· Concerns about being excluded from normal childhood experiences, like sleepovers or school trips.
�? Future Planning
· Feeling of being unprepared, especially around housing, education and employment, and life skills, like budgeting, cooking, or understanding council tax
· Some didn’t know what an EHCP (Education, Health and Care Plan) was, even though they felt they should have had one.
??? From follow-up conversations, young people identified four key areas they wanted to see improved:
· Mental Health & Wellbeing – More support, earlier intervention, and trusted relationships.
· Finance – Better financial education, more support with budgeting, and fairer benefits.
· Relationships – Consistent workers, better communication, and more empathy.
· Future Planning – Clearer pathways into adulthood, including housing, education, and employment.
Attendees split into small groups to brainstorm ideas for an action plan. Key suggestions for each area included:
Action: An action plan was being developed based on these findings, with input from young people and professionals. It will focus on the four priority areas and be brought back to the Corporate Parenting Board for review.