Children’s Involvement Team

Children’s Involvement Team (CIT) work with any Sheffield Care Experienced children and young people up to 25. They were established to find out children’s views on the schemes and projects set up by the Sheffield Children’s Fund. 

Their aim is to use fun, engaging and innovative techniques to communicate with children and allow them to give feedback on the service they were receiving. CIT has now harnessed this experience to provide a wide range of projects and work all centred around the voice of the child. They have a particular focus on children and adults up to 25 years old who are involved in the care system.

Advocacy

CIT provide advocacy for looked after children, young people and care leavers. If you are between 0-25 yrs old and you are looked after, in care or you used to be in care this service can help make sure your voice is heard. Examples of where they might be useful include at Child Protection Conferences, getting your needs met or making a complaint.

If you want to refer yourself or someone else, there are referral forms on their website. You can email [email protected] for more information.

Independent Visitors

An independent visitor is an adult who meets with a child or young person who is in care, or who has recently left care, to do a fun activity together. This helps the young person to do what they enjoy and provides them with a positive adult role model. The consistent friendship helps the young person to build self-esteem, confidence and resilience.

If you would like an independent visitor or to find out more information email [email protected]

If you are interested in volunteering as an Independent Visitor you can find more information on the Sheffield City Council website.

Voice and Influence Team

The Voice and Influence Team help improve things for looked after and care experienced children, young people and adults upto 25 years old. They support activities to share the views of care experienced young people and are commissioned to do pieces of work around voice and influence.

Create & Change Groups

The Create and Change groups consist of Sheffield Care Leavers’ Union, Sheffield Children in Care Council and Little CICCs. These groups encompass all of Sheffield’s children and young people in care and care experienced people upto 25yrs old and gives them a chance to express their experiences and improve the care system through action and activities.

The Children’s Involvement Team also provide:

• Training – provide a range of training for individuals and groups on creative communication with children and young people. They can also provide bespoke training.
• Resources – they provide templates to help build a basic profile of what a young person might need.
• Support with consultations – CIT can plan and deliver consultations on your behalf to find out what children and young people in your setting think and feel.