Learning from Research: Improving opportunities of physical activity for care-experienced children and young people

Regular physical activity has a wealth of health benefits for children and young people. But physical activity can also improve wellbeing and academic performance, open up social connections and create pathways to volunteering or employment. Despite the considerable benefits, data demonstrates that 52% of children and young people do not get the recommended 60 minutes of physical exercise per day. Furthermore, a Local Government Association (LGA) report shows that care-experienced children and young people are a 'hidden group' whose needs and experiences are overlooked in physical activity policy and provision.

This session will showcase finding from the recent Local Government Association (LGA) report: Guidance on improving physical activity for care-experienced children and young people. The guide provides information, advice, and current good practice examples in supporting care-experienced children and young people to be physically active.

The findings will be presented by Richard Ollerearnshaw of the Coram Institute alongside representatives of Stormbreak, a charity focusing on supporting children's mental health through movement who will share their own insights into working with foster carers to embed simple, sustainable physical activities into daily routines. Adding a personal perspective, we'll hear from one of Coram Voice's care-experienced consultants who will share how access to physical activity benefited his own well-being, and ultimately helped him achieve national success in swimming.

Read the full report: Guidance on improving opportunities for physical activity for care-experienced children and young people

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

Understand the barriers preventing more care-experienced children and young people from taking part in physical activity - and how these can be overcome.
Learn from best practice examples how social workers and councils can best support care-experienced children to be physically active.
Insights into how foster carers can embed simple, sustainable physical activities into daily routines.

PRESENTERS

Richard Ollerearnshaw, Researcher, Coram Institute for Children

Richard is an experienced social researcher, having worked on research projects for the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Department for Education, and Greater London Authority, among others.

Emma Dowinton,Social Worker, Together Programme Manager, stormbreak

Emma is a consultant Together Programme Manager for stormbreak and focuses on training trusted adults to support children in care. She has been a qualified social worker for over 20 years, specialising in working with children and families. She has worked within the field of child protection, assessment and fostering as well as providing training for social workers and foster carers.

Kate Bone, Director of Coaching & Development, stormbreak

Kate is a qualified Coach in Running Fitness, a Mental Health Champion for England Athletics and a Run Leader Mentor helping to support new running clubs. Her main focus is on using running and movement to benefit and support mental health, in adults and children alike. Kate is one of the team behind the creation of the stormbreak activities and as Director of Coaching is responsible for teaching schools how to deliver the activities to children.

Beth Vecchione, CEO and Founder, Care to Dance

Care to Dance is a charity, led by qualified social workers and dancers, that supports care-experienced young people through dance and helps them feel a sense of belonging, freedom and connection. They find creative ways to help young people process their experiences, the painful and positive, provide the stability and consistency they likely missed growing up and help them develop relationships built on trust so they have people to turn to. Care to Dance’s mission is to improve the wellbeing of care-experienced young people through dance, and to build inclusive communities where they feel safe, supported and can express themselves freely.

WHO'S IT FOR

This session is relevant to social workers, senior social workers, team managers, advanced practitioners, and department heads working in Adoption, Fostering or Kinship Care. It will also be relevant to carers or those working with children and young people.