Wirral care leavers bring their experiences to Westminster

A group of young people who have grown up in Wirral’s care system travelled to London this week to meet their local MP and see the workings of Parliament first hand. The visit was arranged by the Wirral Care Leavers Council, a body made up of individuals who have been under the care of Wirral Council. Members of the council act as a formal parent for children in care and provide support to care leavers up to their twenty‑fifth birthday, helping them prepare for adult life. In addition to offering practical assistance, the council uses the lived experience of its members to influence decisions that affect children in care across the Wirral.

Before touring the parliamentary estate, the council met Birkenhead MP Alison McGovern in her Westminster office. The meeting came after the group had specifically requested to speak with her in the capital rather than at her constituency office in Birkenhead. After their discussion, the young people were shown around the Houses of Commons and had the opportunity to watch a live debate in progress. Kerry Bull, Operational Lead for Leaving Care at Wirral Council, remarked that the visit demonstrated to the participants that their opinions could have an impact beyond the local area. She noted that holding the meeting in McGovern’s parliamentary office, as opposed to her Birkenhead base, gave the encounter far greater significance and made it clear that the young people’s voices could be heard at national level.

Bull added that the care leavers witnessed government in action and saw how their contributions could matter. She said that during the meeting the council shared the issues they face with McGovern, and that the MP has agreed to visit the Care Leavers Hub for dinner to continue building a longer‑term relationship with the group. While in London, the young people had to navigate a city that many of them had never visited before. They were responsible for budgeting money for lunch, finding their way through unfamiliar streets and documenting the day’s events, with one member taking on the role of designated social‑media creator.

Bull expressed optimism that a member of the council might pursue a career in politics, recalling a young woman who said she wants to change the world and is already active in community litter picking. The young woman described the visit as making her dreams feel "accomplishable" and said that speaking to McGovern and seeing Parliament was "great to see". Bull also noted that the young woman sits and pulls apart care policies, tells the council what is needed, and is often the first one out taking action in the community, such as litter picking. She added that getting to see the Houses of Parliament might help the young woman realise what she can achieve.

Councillor Stephen Bennett, Chair of the Children’s, Young Person and Education Committee, echoed the council’s aim to provide experiences that secure the best outcomes for children in care. He said that, as their corporate parent, the council wants to develop them for the future, help them build life skills, nurture their aspirations and give them the opportunity to thrive. Bennett’s remarks underlined the intention behind the trip: to combine civic engagement with practical life skills, showing how direct contact with national institutions can reinforce the local support already offered to care leavers.

The day illustrated how a visit to Parliament can serve both as an inspirational experience and as a chance to learn essential skills such as budgeting, navigation and communication. By meeting their MP in Westminster, watching a live debate and reflecting on the proceedings, the young people were able to see the connection between their own experiences and the broader political process. The trip also highlighted the importance of maintaining ongoing relationships between elected officials and local support services, as demonstrated by McGovern’s promise to visit the Care Leavers Hub. Overall, the excursion reinforced the council’s dual role of providing day‑to‑day assistance while striving to amplify the voices of those who have lived through the care system.