About us
Voices 4 Choices (V4C), is the Lincolnshire Children & Young People in Care and Care Leavers Council.
V4C helps to speak up for children and young people in care in Lincolnshire. It helps make change happen where needed.
What you can expect from being part of V4C
We meet as a group and are involved in various projects to help make important changes to the lives of children and young people with care experience.
V4C isn’t just about working to help make Children’s Services better. You get to do some great activities, meet new people and make new friends.
Activities include:
- sharing views with senior managers and elected officials so they know what is important to use when making decisions
- giving our views to services about the work they do and how they could help us
- helping to plan our annual FAB Awards ceremony for children and young people in care
- reviewing the Caring Promise, a list of promises that Lincolnshire County Council make to help children and young people in care
Free food, drink and transport is provided along with free fun activities and gift vouchers for being involved.
Meetings
We have face to face meetings throughout the year, during school holidays. We have a meeting in the morning, then food and drink, followed by fun activities in the afternoon.
We also have online meetings at times.
Join us
We are aways recruiting, and welcome new young people and are always listening.
If you would like to come along to one of our meetings or have a chat with us, please contact participation@lincolnshire.gov.uk.
Living in care
Created by Voices4Choices is this reference guide, including things to know and where to get support. A booklet is available in hard copy and digitally. The key contact information is available on this page.
It covers:
• your rights
• the caring promise
• care plan, Independent Reviewing Officer, reviews (of your care plan)
• advocacy
• complaints
• other people to talk to
• education
• skills for adult life
• health
Contact information
Voiceability is Lincolnshire’s advocacy service, it can help you get your views to those who need to hear when they make decisions about you.
Telephone number: 0300 303 1660
Email: helpline@voiceability.org
Complaints are best dealt with by speaking to your carers and social worker, you can also raise it at your review with your Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO). If you feel you are not being treated fairly you can raise a complaint using the online form or by emailing customer relations.
Corporate Parenting Panel is a group who meet to oversee local care provision. It is made up of councillors, carers and professionals. The Chair and their contact details can be found online.
The Children’s Commissioner for England is a champion for children, especially vulnerable children and in particular children who are living away from home or receiving social care services and raises concerns with government. Email: help.team@childrenscommissioner.gov.uk
The Virtual School is not a physical school but has workers who support you and your school to do the best for you. They also support with your ePEP (electronic Personal Education Plan).
Telephone number: 01522 550274
Email: virtualschool@lincolnshire.gov.uk
Annual health check and health telephone number: 01522 302020