WHO'S WHO
Ellie (Eleanor Seed) - Is a Senior Project Worker for Investing in Children (IiC) and supports and helps run the Children in Care Council. She has worked for IiC for 8 years. Ellie can be contacted on 0191 3077030 or via her email at Eleanor.seed@investinginchildren.net
Peter Brookes - Peter was elected to Durham County Council in 2008. He represents the newly created division of Trimdon and Thornley and since May 2013 has been the Chairman of the Corporate Parenting Panel. Prior to becoming a Councillor, Peter was the Head of Community Support Services where he took a particular interest in the engagement and empowerment of citizens (esp. young people) in the life of their local communities. Peter is the new Chairperson of Durham County Council's Corporate Parenting Panel. This panel is made up of elected members and officers from the Council to ensure the safety and welfare of all Children and Young People who are Looked After.
"We find out about children and young people are progressing, we do independent inspections of our children's homes and we also get involved with fostering and adoption services. The overall philosophy for the services we provide to looked after children is: 'would this be good enough for my child?' Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions you would like to ask me or issues that you would like to raise". peter.brookes@durham.gov.uk
Karen Robb - Is the Strategic Manager for looked after children and permanence for Durham County Council. She manages the social work teams for looked after children and care leavers, the fostering and adoption services and the Children’s Homes.
“I meet with the Children in Care Council as often as possible, as I feel it is really important that I hear the views of our young people in relation to the services we provide. When they raise issues I will address them if I can and respond back to them. The work they have done recently in relation to personal allowances has been really good and I will be looking at the results with our accountants. This approach enables us to make changes where I think we need to”.
For more information on children services and looked after young people please follow the links provided below:
www.durham.gov.uk/article/2320/Childrens-Services
www.durham.gov.uk/article/2960/Looked-after-children
Margaret Whellans - Is the Corporate Director for children and young people's services.
“At Durham County Council we are committed to caring for and providing the best possible futures for our children and young people. As Corporate Director of the service which looks after this area, I am passionate about not only meeting the needs of our children and young people across the county but also, where possible, improving what we do".
Our work with the Children in Care Council is an important part of this vision and I believe that by taking the time to meet with and listen to the views of young people in our care, we take the first step as a service to taking the views of these young people seriously and working with them to make their experience of being in our care, the best it can be".
Helen Fergusson - Is the head of looked after children & care leavers
Selwyn Morgans - Is the Aycliffe Secure Services manager
If you wish to make a complaint please follow the link provided below:
www.durham.gov.uk/complaints