A NEW chairman has been elected to be a voice for young people in North Yorkshire.

Steph Spaven, a 21-year-old care leaver and undergraduate, will head up the county's Young People’s Council (YPC).

Steph, who is currently in the third year of a business management degree at York St John University, is taking on the post after having been part of the YPC for the past five years.

The council is made up of young people who are either currently in care or are care leavers, aged between 11 and 21. It works to improve the care system and the lives of those in care. They regularly meet with county councillors and officers who make decisions which affect the lives of those experiencing the care system.

Steph said: “During my time as chairman I have some goals which I hope to achieve. Firstly, I aim to ensure all foster carers have a 'personal profile' to give to children and young people to help them familiarise themselves with their new foster family. Secondly, I aim to increase the amount of county council documents that are 'Youth Approved' by the YPC, in other words they are user friendly for young people.”

Steph also hopes to promote the use of social media, increase membership of the YPC, and raise awareness about its work and consultation events and make a real difference to the care system.

Cllr Tony Hall, North Yorkshire’s executive member for Youth Services, said: “The YPC does a great job in promoting the views of children and young people who have had experience of care and we are sure that the council will take another step forward under Steph’s leadership.”