A PLEDGE to support the town's looked after children has been approved by councillors.

Slough Borough Council's cabinet agreed to endorse a 19 point pledge produced by the children themselves at its meeting on Monday.

The pledge is a joint one between Slough Borough Council and Slough Children's Services Trust (SCST) - an independent group set up to look after children's services in Slough following 'inadequate' Ofsted reports.

Nicola Clemo, chief executive of SCST, said: "I think there is real evidence of a real drive in getting behind this in a way that young people have not seen before which is fantastic.

"How we measure all that is yet to be worked out, but it is a fantastic start.

"We are on a journey and we are at the beginning of that journey."

Concerns were raised by councillor James Swindlehurst over one of the promises - to help children have the same social worker for a long time - after Ms Clemo said that this pledge would be difficult to meet straight away because around 50% of social care staff were still from agencies.

Cllr Swindlehurst said: "If we are not yet in a position to improve the social work then we are setting ourselves up to fail.

"It would be better not to make the commitment if we think we cannot deliver it."

Ms Clemo added: "It does not mean we will deliver it overnight. These things are what the young people have said.

"They have a right to put these things down in terms of what they want to see.

"We are absolutely committed and they have a right to these things and we will work our damnedest to achieve that.

"Not to have an aspiration in that sense would be wrong to say that to them.

"By hearing what young people want and one of those things especially service for children leaving care has been abysmal and we are establishing and recruiting a new team for care leavers.

"Part of that will be recruiting a team that are committed to staying with these young people for as long as possible."

A further report will be submitted to cabinet in June.

The pledge:

♦ We will make sure that social workers take the time to get to know and understand you. We will make sure that social workers are friendlier and listen to you more.

♦ We will help you to have the same social worker for a long time.

♦ We will make sure that foster carers treat you the same as their own children, so there is no favouritism and give you the care and love that you need.

♦ We will make sure you have access to and are provided with the right advice and support to ensure you are physically and emotionally healthy.

♦ We will help you have a healthy diet (one of your 5 a day) and make sure you have opportunities to take part in activities that will keep you healthy.

♦ We will help you to stay where you are living if that is what you want.

♦ We will help you to you get the best educational outcomes and have a computer to help support you with your education.

♦ We will make sure you have the opportunity to take part in activities and hobbies.

♦ We will help you to keep in touch with your friends and receive the right information about staying over at your friend’s house.

♦ We will help you to be involved in the decisions that are made about you and any decisions and plans that are made about your future.

♦ We will help you to be involved in choosing your placement and to know more about where you are moving to, including being able to visit any new carers before you move.

♦ We will ensure you receive the best advice and support about applying for college and university, applying for a job and for your future career.

♦ We will help and support you to learn about budgeting, how to cook, clean and other independent living skills.

♦ We will support you to find a place to live, that is safe and secure and is suitable for your needs. We will ensure we plan ahead to make sure that, together, we find the right place for you, when you move on from care.

♦ We want to support you to have contact with your family and friends. If this is not possible we will tell you why.

♦ We will offer you the support of an advocate or independent visitor if you feel that you are not being supported. Sometimes you may find it difficult to say what you want and you may want some support to put your views forward.

♦ We will listen if you have a complaint or would like to praise someone.

♦ We will make sure you can speak to someone who you trust about anything you are worried about, even at evenings and weekends.

♦ If we make a promise to you we will keep it.