Care-experienced children in Hull have created a new card game for social workers which has caught national attention.
The game they named ‘the Cards You’re Dealt’ features 48 playing cards, which each have an image and statement of something children feel is important to their lives. They created it as a fun and engaging way of getting professionals talking about what matters to the health and emotional wellbeing of children in care.
It was also a way of conveying how they feel to the people who work with them.
It was conceived by the Hull Young Voices Influencing Care (YVIC) group, who influence the council on all aspects of children’s social care.
The game will be used by social workers and other professionals to help them to think about the scenarios young people in care face and how they should approach them. It’s the only tool of its kind designed by young, care-experienced people.
It has also been shared with other local authorities too in a hope to help people to think about situations from a young person’s perspective.
The game has also been featured by Coram Voice, a leading children’s rights organisation.
The game has been played by council staff and partners to enhance their understanding of the experiences of children in care. They also played it to celebrate Corporate Parenting Week.
Councillor Linda Tock, the portfolio holder for Children’s Services at Hull City Council, said: “The game these innovative young people in Hull have created will challenge social workers across the country to put themselves in the shoes of young people in care.
“Lots of our teams have played it already, and feedback so far has been really positive. It is a powerful and fun learning tool, which provides an enjoyable and memorable way for more people to get talking about what matters to care-experienced children.
“I’m so proud that young people in Hull will be influencing social care up and down the country, as well as here at home.”
