Introduction

July 1993 witnessed the creation of a forum appointed to explore the development of a young people led organization, for Care experienced children and young people.  Membership was drawn from the Voluntary Sector and Statutory Social Services, involving both Practitioners and Managers.  In February 1996, VOYPIC was established as a Company Limited by Guarantee and employed four Care experienced Development Workers and a Regional Coordinator.

Between 1999 -2002, VOYPIC reviewed the agency’s vision and development; measuring achievements and exploring its current work alongside the difficulties and challenges it had faced. A new strategic plan and agency structure was agreed. Securing appropriate resources proved challenging, and so, the strategic plan was increasingly incorporated throughout the agency.

Listening and learning from overall experience, the core elements of the vision, mission and values were to remain dominant, however, a radical re-structuring of the agency was required.

This involved:

• Developing the current five distinct projects
• Recruiting new staff, including Care experienced trainees
• Setting up new organizational systems to meet the demands of a rapidly expanding agency
  

In 2007 three new locality based offices were established in L'Derry, Ballymena and Lurgan with a significant increase in personnel.

Mission

VOYPIC is an independent regional voice that seeks to empower and enable children and young people with an experience of Care 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 do this through listening and learning and facilitating change which impacts and influences legislation, policy and practice.

Vision

To put Care experienced children and young people’s voice at the heart of all decision making.

Definition

By Care experienced VOYPIC means: children and young people aged 0 to 25 years 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.

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

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 0-25 years by encouraging their personal and social development through group and individual work, thus 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’ and could benefit from having a Mentor. This service is geared towards young people who are at risk, including those who have been suspended or expelled from school.

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, for example, designing the tools and carrying out the research.