The third Bassetlaw Children and Young People's Forum took place on 15th November.  It focused on black and ethnic minority children and young people's issues.  Karen Newham who is the Development Officer for the Nottingham Safeguarding Children Board (NSCB) presented an overview of the NSCB role and the new children and young people's strategy to address the impact of racism and meet the needs of the BME children, young people and their families.  Maureen Taylor (CAMHS) and Juliette Penny (Health Visitor) presented the Mustard Seeds Project, which is a parenting group specifically for parents who have BME children.  Sally Penn (Senior Children Centres Co-ordinator, Bassetlaw) and Una Daniels (Children Centre Co-ordinator, Bassetlaw) shared the self-assessment tool that they use within the children centres in helping them to challenge inequality, promote equality and value diversity through planning around identified needs in their service. 

An annual report on the progress of the children and young peoples forums will be presented at Bassetlaw's Children and Young People's Local Strategic Partnership Group in the new year, with the aim of supporting a further 3 events during 2008.  This is a great venue to find out what is going on at County level and locally for children and young people as well as networking with partner agencies.  

For more information contact Cathy Burke on 01909 500990 ext.2514 or Sally Penn on 01909 504570.