"We are people not problems": County Durham young people share care experiences at national conference

That was the message when nine young people from County Durham told delegates at a national conference about their experiences of living in care.

The group, aged 15 to 24, addressed a packed audience at the Association of Directors of Children's Services (ADCS) Annual Conference in Manchester.

And after reading a poem and showing a video they've made to express their views, they took questions from senior children's services leaders from across the country.

"Their message was powerful, eloquently put, and incredibly well-received," said our director of children and young people's services and current ADCS President, John Pearce.

"Their film gave us all an insight into the kind of barriers and prejudices young people in care, or who have been in care, still have to face.

"Hearing them say things like 'I am not a case' and 'I am not vulnerable' and 'we shouldn't have to fight to be heard' give us all something to think about.

"Their poems were quite beautiful too.

"These young people were an absolute credit to themselves and County Durham and we've been inundated with people wanting to hear more from them.

"I'm delighted we've been able to give them this national platform to get in front of so many policy and decision-makers.

"There's no substitute for hearing things from the very people you serve really."