The regional awards celebrate children’s services teams whose work is making a positive difference for children, young people and families across the West Midlands.
Warwickshire County Council's Voice, Influence and Change Team has been recognised at the West Midlands Team Excellence Awards 2026 for its work helping children and young people have a meaningful say in the decisions and services that affect their lives.
The regional awards celebrate children’s services teams whose work is making a positive difference for children, young people and families across the West Midlands.
Warwickshire’s Voice, Influence and Change Team creates opportunities for children and young people, as well as parents and carers, to share their experiences, express their views and help shape services across the county. From taking part in youth forums and co-producing information to contributing to recruitment, commissioning and strategic meetings, children and young people are supported to influence decisions at every level.
The team's achievements include:
- Creating a countywide participation structure that brings together the voices of children and young people from across Warwickshire to influence strategic decision-making.
- Supporting young people to contribute directly to service development, commissioning arrangements, recruitment processes and strategic boards.
- Working with young people to co-produce resources, including the TTRIM Plan covering triggers, transitions, regulation, interests and motivations, giving them greater ownership of how information about them is gathered and shared.
- Establishing the Young Inspectors programme, which enables young people to help evaluate young people services such as children's homes, supported accommodation and hospital settings.
- Working with young people to strengthen SEND quality assurance processes, helping ensure children are accurately represented through education, health and care planning.
- Delivering the fifth annual Brothers and Sisters Day and the fourth residential trip creating opportunities for siblings living apart to maintain important relationships and shared experiences.
- Supporting forums, events and leadership opportunities that build confidence, skills and meaningful influence for young people across Warwickshire.
The team's work has helped make listening to children and young people an important part of how services are designed and improved across Warwickshire.
Warwickshire’s approach has received regional and national recognition, with other local authorities looking to replicate the learning from the VIC Team. Three Ofsted inspections recognise the strength of participation in Warwickshire. Most importantly young people see the difference they are making.
Warwickshire County Councillor Wayne Briggs, Portfolio Holder for Children and Families, Education and SEND, said: "This recognition is thoroughly deserved and reflects the commitment of our Voice, Influence and Change Team.
“The team makes sure children, and young people are not only listened to, but that their ideas and experiences lead to meaningful change. It is fantastic to see young people playing such an active role in shaping the services and decisions that affect them.
“This work is at the heart of our Child Friendly Warwickshire ambition to make Warwickshire a place where every child and young person is heard, valued and supported to be happy, healthy, safe and skilled. I would like to congratulate the whole team on this well-deserved recognition.”
The West Midlands Team Excellence Awards celebrate the outstanding work of children's services teams across the region. Warwickshire's Voice, Influence and Change Team continues to play an important role in supporting the council's Child Friendly Warwickshire ambition, helping ensure every child and young person is happy, healthy, heard, safe and skilled.