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23 Nov 07Young People Take Over The Council
Young people took the reins at Borough of Poole as part of a national day celebrating the importance of children and young people to society.
Members of Poole's Children and Young People's Shadow Board were put in charge of Poole's Children and Young People's Services for 'Takeover Day' on Friday, November 23. As part of the day, children and young people across England were invited to take over leading institutions, jobs and organisations for one day.
Senior Council officers, including John Nash, Borough of Poole's Strategic Director for Children's Services, agreed to hand over their jobs to a group of young people aged between 12 and 21. The young people included Elliot Inglis, of St. Edwards School, aged 14 and Phil Aldous, of Carter Community School, aged 15 (both pictured).
Adrian Dawson, Director of Bournemouth and Poole Primary Care Trust 
and Andrew Williams, Chief Executive for Connexions Dorset, Bournemouth and Poole also agreed to relinquish their roles for the day.
Shadow Board members are selected to represent various groups of children and young people in Poole. They inform Borough of Poole's Children and Young People's Services about key issues for young people and help the Council make decisions on developing services for Poole's children and young people.
John Nash, Strategic Director for Children's Services, said: "Children and young people in Poole can make a major contribution to their local communities. We agreed to hand over the reins for a day to demonstrate our commitment to listening to young people and recognising their talents."
Cllr Tony Woodcock, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Children's Services, Borough of Poole, said: "The Council has made supporting children and young people one of its main priorities. The Shadow Board gives young people an opportunity to influence the important decisions which shape the services we develop for them."
The national event was created by 11 MILLION , a national organisation led by the Children's Commissioner for England, Professor Sir Al Aynsley-Green.
Sir Al Aynsley-Green said: "We are so delighted that Borough of Poole, Bournemouth and Poole Primary Care Trust and Connexions Dorset, Bournemouth and Poole are showing their commitment to children and young people by allowing them to be so involved in their organisation. I'm sure the members of Poole Children and Young People's Shadow Board will get a huge amount out of the day."
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