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CLNM Newsletter - December 2024
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Posted 19th December 2024
CLNM has had a full agenda since April. From reps developing a new structure for CLNM so it is sustainable as it continues to grow, to delivering an amazing conference, it has been incredibly busy. As we come to the end of 2024 we look back on a year that has been a huge success.
New NHP Champions have been selected for 2025 – congratulations to Kiyia and Chloe.
Lizzie, the newest Participation and Development Worker with NHP, started in May. Lizzie started with huge enthusiasm and got to know young people quickly. Lizzie is a great asset to the NHP team.
Peer research into the impact of CLNM, and how alumni would like continued involvement, took place in the summer as well.
All of this happened while CLNM continued their pivotal consultation work and their work implementing the four peer recommendations from the 2023 Peer Evaluation.
Enjoy finding out more below.
> CLNM Overview
> CLNM Conference: Developing Direction
> New Champions and New NHP Staff
> Peer Research
> Peer Evaluation Recommendations
> A New CLNM Structure
> End of Year Celebration
> Seeking New Reps
> CLNM Alumni
> CLNM’s Other Updates
> Consultations
CLNM Overview:
CLNM is a growing movement of young people from Local House Projects across the United Kingdom.
CLNM Vision
All young people to be supported to leave care well and have the skills, knowledge, and confidence to live connected and fulfilling lives.
CLNM Mission
For young people and professionals to work together across the House Project community to improve leaving care services on a local and national level.
Four main objectives:
- Celebrate Success – Highlight success stories to inspire, inform and influence positive change.
- Improve Services – Develop and try new ideas designed with young people.
- Provide Challenge – To improve the system to better support young people.
- Peer Evaluate – Carry out regular Peer Evaluations and implement the recommendations.
CLNM Conference: Developing Direction
On Thursday 14 November, the House Project community of young people, colleagues, and partners from across the UK gathered at the Mercure Hotel in Manchester for the annual Care Leavers National Movement (CLNM) Conference, ‘Developing Direction.’
This inspiring event was designed and delivered by young people, showcasing their dedication to improving outcomes for care-experienced young people. With a focus on ‘Direction,’ the day highlighted their drive to create lasting change. Attendees heard from young people and guest speakers about how they are shaping their futures, while CLNM shared updates on their Peer Recommendations.
Read the full report of CLNM's conference and watch the video...
New Champions and New NHP Staff
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Next year’s NHP Champions have been announced. Two champions are selected each year based on their commitment and a desire to continue supporting CLNM and NHP. Kiyia and Chloe will be working to support next year’s cohort of CLNM, particularly in the first six months of the year as new Chairs get settled in. They will also be supporting the development and growth of NHP as a whole.
One of NHP’s fantastic Practice Leads, Becky, left NHP in October after almost four incredible years supporting LHP’s in the north of England and Scotland. This left an opening which means NHP has been joined by Carlene who has lots of experience supporting young people. Carlene is meeting lots of young people at LHPs and enjoyed the End of Year Celebration with CLNM.
Find out more about the NHP team...
Peer Research
2024 has not been a Peer Evaluation year. Nevertheless, CLNM has undertaken peer research to find out the impact of CLNM, and the benefits of it to the young people involved. CLNM reps worked with Matthew Walsham, from Partnership for Young London, to conduct the research.
The research explored young people’s experiences as reps and identified ways to improve support and collaboration. Their insightful findings centred on three key themes:
- Creating Positive Impact
- Impact on CLNM Representatives
- Developing a CLNM Alumni Offer
These findings culminated in the creation of a CLNM Handbook for young people considering becoming a CLNM rep.
The full report on the research will be released in early 2025.
Peer Evaluation Recommendations
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CLNM spent much of 2024 working on the four recommendations from the 2023 Peer Evaluation. Their work, along with NHP’s input, has been summarised in one document which was shared at conference. It is a resource for LHPs to use to inspire and encourage continued great practice. The National CLNM group has overall responsibility for ensuring NHP implement them.
Take a look at the Recommendations Guide...
A New CLNM Structure
As CLNM moves into 2025, reps have recognised the need for a structure that enables growth, and shares more work between reps, as this year’s Peer Research suggested.
A new Participation and Development Worker is starting in February, to support CLNM. Dougie has a broad experience working with young people. A third PDW enables the North and South regions to become three regions: North, Midlands and South. Each region will have a chair. There will also be a conference group and a peer evaluation group to focus on those areas of work. You can find out more about the new structure in the new CLNM Handbook.
End of Year Celebration
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The 2024 CLNM End of Year Celebration took place on 7th December in Crewe. Reps braved Storm Darragh to be there. The Christmas-themed celebration centred around food, party games, and the exchange of Secret Santa gifts. Reps were also given a year book full of photos to remember 2024. Lizzie and Jonny expressed how much they enjoy working with CLNM, and what a privilege it is. A special mention was given to 2024’s Champion, Sean, from Fife House Project. Sean’s time with CLNM ended after three years. CLNM will miss Sean’s wisdom, experience and sense of humour.
Seeking New Reps
As CLNM moves into 2025, LHPs are preparing to select new reps to join CLNM. Reps share the views of young people and staff in their LHP, and are positive roles models in bringing about positive change for other care experienced young people. If a young person is interested in being a rep for their LHP, they should speak to their LHP staff and read the new CLNM Handbook.
CLNM Alumni
The Alumni continue to receive updates from CLNM and opportunities to engage in consultations. The Alumni is one of many ways that the House Project community stay connected to one another. Keep an eye out for Alumni events in 2025!
CLNM’s Other Updates
CLNM raise challenges in NHP and wider systems through ‘workstreams’. Workstreams can directly influence how NHP and CLNM are run and delivered. Often CLNM workstreams involve partnership with other charities or campaigns. For example, workstreams can take the form of consultations or taking part in research.
Board of Trustees
CLNM’s Trustee Advisory Group meet one week before Board Meetings. There have been two Board meetings since April, as well as a Board Development day. Reps have been present for each of these. They have talked about the importance of safety plans as well as plans to work with more Local Authorities so that more young people can benefit from LHPs.
Energy Champions
The Energy Champions have released advice across social media. View it here.
Consultations
CLNM are expert advisers around their lived experience of the care system and offer the knowledge and insight they gain from this to inform service design and delivery. Their aspiration is to use their experience to improve services for other young people.
Action for Children
CLNM have worked with Action for Children to development content that supports young people with employment. You can view the video here (it will be an hour well spent):
Limitless 2
Limitless 2 is a consultation that continues research into Digital Life Story Work. CLNM reps have been trained as researchers and conducted research in Local Authorities across England. They are now supporting the analysis of the research.