Issue 38 - Summer 2012 - Wigan Council

‘First’ onadoptionunveiledWIGAN is one of threeNorth-west councils whohave teamed up to delivera shared adoption service –the first of its kind in thecountry.Wigan, Warrington, andSt Helens councils havelaunched WWiSH to buildbridges between childrenseeking adoption andpeople wishing to adopt.The Ofsted-registeredservice will widen thechoice for people seekingto adopt children – andspeed up the localadoption process.The new approach willalso encourage morepotential adoptive parentsand give them bettertraining and support.It will increase the choiceof placements offered tochildren by bettermatching their needs,provide better value formoney and reduced coststhrough a morestreamlined service.Across the threeboroughs there areapproximately 1,050children in local authoritycare. Last year, nationallythe number of lookedafter children who weresuccessfully adopted fell byfive per cent. The averagewaiting time for a child inlocal authority care to beadopted is two years andseven months.Wigan Council CabinetMember for Children andYoung People, Cllr SusanLoudon, said: “Adopting achild takes incredibleresponsibility but it is alsoa hugely rewarding,life-changing event.“We feel sure that thenew shared adoptionservice will give prospectiveadoptive parents theassurances they need tomake contact and find outmore. We are lookingforward to working moreclosely with colleagues inSt Helens and Warringtonon this exciting project.”■ To find out more visitwww.wigan.gov.uk andsearch for ‘adoption’.Meet the right honourableteenagersMEET Jilly McKiernan andDaniel Gilmore – Wigan’s newMembers of Youth Parliament.Jilly and Daniel representthe views of the borough’syoung people not only locallyand regionally, but also at anational level as part of theUK Youth Parliament.Daniel, 18, from Wigan,attends Winstanley Collegeand studies Maths, FurtherMaths, Physics and Geography.He said: “This is a greatopportunity to get involvedand to help people. I amthrilled to have been elected.Our main focus this year willbe youth unemployment and Iam very much looking forwardto getting started.”Jilly McKiernan, 17, fromAshton, studies Law, Biologyand Photography at CarmelCollege. It is her second termas an MYP after beingre-elected.She said: “I have met somany great people and havebeen able to get involved withso much during the past fewyears, so I am really happy tobe re-elected.“I want to carryon withsupporting the young peopleof Wigan Borough.”They will be supported bytheir deputy, 18 year old ObiOderinde from Wigan whostudies Public Services atWigan and Leigh College.All three of the UKYPrepresentatives have beeninvolved with a host of youthgroups, youth councils andfocus groups to date as theyare passionate about WiganBorough.The Members of YouthParliament (MYPs) will act asany regular MP would,representing their constituentsand taking the views of theborough’s young people todecision makers at a local,regionalandnationallevel.Eachyearthe£100k high street boostWIGAN Council haswelcomed a cash injectionof £100,000 aimed at highstreet regeneration. This is aboost on top of the MaryPortas Town Team projectwhich the council is alsobidding for funding from.Chief Executive, DonnaHall, said: “Wigan has donecomparatively well duringthe current economicdifficulties.“We have managed tomaintain footfall in ourtown centres but thisfunding will enable us tocontinue many existingschemes and develop newideas to support our localeconomy.“We’re particularly keento focus on the role ofyoung people in oureconomy.”The government hasaccepted most of therecommendations ofshopping guru Mary Portasin her review. They haveMYPs attend the annualsitting of the UK YouthParliament, which will be heldin Nottingham in July for2012.The UK Youth Parliamentalso attend an annual debateon the famous green benchesof the House of Commons.As part of their work, Jilly,Daniel and Obi will alsoaccompany the borough’sYouth Cabinet to Angers inJune to meet with theirFrench Youth Councilcounterparts.There they will discuss thefindings of healthquestionnaires carried out ineach town, compare the resultsand see what they can learnfrom one another.To contact Jilly, Daniel orObi or to find out about howto join your area’s YouthCouncil call Wigan Council’sYouth Service on 01942486256.pledgedto cut planning redtape and entice motorists tothe town centre.4 BOROUGH LIFE Summer 2012