Voypic, voice of young people in care - new website coming soon


We are currently updating our website, until then we have provided some information about our organisation that you might find helpful. Mission Vision Background Values Overview of Projects Download Voypic Organisational Chart [Word doc 37.5kb] Current staff vacancies Do you care? website If you have any questions or would like any further information contact your local office.
Mission VOYPIC is an independent regional charity that seeks to empower and enable care experienced children and young people to participate fully in decisions affecting their lives. Our aim is to improve their life chances through working in partnership with children, young people, staff, managers, agencies and government. We listen and learn from what young people tell us and facilitate positive change in legislation, policy and practice. Core services include: Participation, Advocacy, Mentoring, Policy and Research. back to top Vision To put care experienced children and young people’s voice at the heart of all decision making. back to top definition By care experienced VOYPIC mean: children and young people aged 0 to 25 yrs who are or who have been looked after by social services, that is, young people who are currently or have lived in a children’s home, foster care, secure care, home on trial, in a hospital setting or participants in an aftercare project. back to top Background In July 1993, a Forum with membership drawn from the Voluntary Sector and Statutory Social Services involving both practitioners and managers came together to explore how to develop and support a young people led organisation for care experienced children and young people. VOYPIC was established as Company Limited by Guarantee, in February 1996 and employed 4 Care experienced Development Workers and a Regional Co-ordinator. From 1999-2002 VOYPIC reviewed the agency’s vision and development, measured achievements and explored its current work, difficulties and challenges. A new strategic plan and agency structure was agreed. Securing appropriate resources proved challenging and the strategic plan was implemented incrementally. Listening and learning from the experience, the core elements of the vision, mission and values remained relevant but a radical re-structuring of the agency was required. This involved developing the current five distinct projects, recruiting new staff, including care experienced trainees and setting up neworganisational systems to meet the demands of a rapidly expanding agency. In 2007 three new locality based offices were established in Derry, Ballymena and Lurgan with a significant increase in personnel. back to top Values Champions of change: Driving Innovation VOYPIC believes that government and all agencies including our own, should adhere to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Children and young people should be: Encouraged to respect the dignity of themselves and others, regardless of background, race, religion, ethnicity, national origin, political opinion disability, gender, sexual orientation, culture, age or other status Listened to, and have their views properly and fully considered in all decisions affecting them Aware of their rights and the rights of others and empowered/ enabled to use them Assisted when necessary to understand issues that concern them To promote and practice these values VOYPIC will: Demonstrate Respect, Commitment, Listening, Activism, and Transparency Be driven by the needs and aspirations of children and young people and be dedicated to improving their life chances Work with children, young people, and other stakeholder agencies to promote and develop good practice Celebrate success and ensure that children and young people have fun ba ck to top Overview of Projects Participation The Participation Project provides an introduction to VOYPIC. It facilitates and supports the growth and development of care experienced young people aged 0-25years by encouraging their personal and social development through group and individual work enabling them to get involved and make a difference. Advocacy Offers children and young people with care experience a confidential service outside of social services where they can get advice, information and support. ADVOCACY LINE: 08450 742 942 Policy The policy project is responsible for ensuring that the views and experiences of children and young people are brought to the relevant decision makers within personal social services. The project also assists in the planning, implementation and evaluation of related policy and practice initiatives and legislative developments. Mentoring Provides a service for young people aged 12-18 years old, who are ‘looked after’, who are at risk or have been suspended or expelled from school who could benefit from having a Mentor. Research Through Participatory Action Research, VOYPIC ensures that Care experienced children are fully involved in research. They advise and guide all aspects of the work e.g designing the tools and carrying out the research. back to top Overview of Projects If you would like to contact us about any of our services please contact your local office: Belfast Voice of Young People In Care 9-11 Botanic Avenue Belfast BT7 1JG Tel: 02890 244888 Fax: 02890 240679 Ballymena Voice of Young People In Care Ballymena Community Forum Glendun Drive Ballymena BT43 6ER Tel: 02825 632641 Fax: 02825 655934 Derry Voice of Young People In Care Tracey House 29 Clarendon Street Derry BT48 7ER Tel: 02871 378980 Fax: 02871 377938 Lurgan Voice of Young People In Care Flat 12 Mount Zion House Edward Street Lurgan BT66 6DB Tel: 02838 313380 Fax: 02838 324689

© Voypic 2007