YOUNG people from the Bradford District's Children in Care Council have launched a new pledge for the district's looked after children.

The pledge was launched by the Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Joanne Dodds, last Wednesday at a celebratory event attended by young people from across the district and those who work with them.

Bradford's Children in Care Council is made up of young people who are in the care of the Council and young adults who recently left care. They represent children and young people who are in care in the Bradford district.

Working with elected councillors and senior officers at Bradford Council, the Children in Care Council has developed the pledge and a number of promises. The purpose of this is to make continued improvements to services for the children and young people of the district who are in care.

The new pledge builds on the good work already achieved and establishes how Bradford Council and the other agencies involved in care will work with young people and support them.

The new pledge for children in care is:

· Support into adulthood and independence at a pace to suit us.

· Support in all education matters.

· Being involved in decision making.

· Workers being open and honest about issues that affect us.

· Support to be kept safe.

· Support in reaching our dreams.

· We will be supported to understand why we are in care, when appropriate and when ready.

· Ensure we are listened to.

· Support us with issues around our family and contact, especially when things do not go to plan.

The pledge and promises will monitored by the Children in Care Council over the coming year.

The Council's Executive member responsible for Health and Social Care, Councillor Ralph Berry, said: "This new pledge and the promises that accompany it form part of our on-going commitment to young people in care. It is important that those young people have certainty about the services they receive and confidence that services reflect their needs. Listening to their views will help us make sure we can support them in the best way possible.”