About EPIC
A rights-based organisation advocating with & for children in care & young care-leavers
Our Vision
A society where every child in the care system is valued, respected and heard.
Our Values
Empowering
Rights-based
Inclusive
Ambitious
Our Mission
To champion the rights of care-experienced children and young people, ensure their voices inform the policy and practice that affects their lives and cultivate a care aware society.
We are EPIC
EPIC, Empowering People in Care, exists because some children and young people need extra help or support arising from their experiences in care. We are independent, with a clear purpose and mandate – to advocate for the rights of care-experienced children and young people.
Our team works with children in care, young care leavers, and anyone with experience of the care system up to the age of 26. EPIC works to ensure that their voices are represented and considered in decisions that affect their lives, and that their experiences inform policy and practice. We also create safe spaces for children and young people to come together to work on projects that are important to them.
All of EPIC’s work is grounded in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, particularly Article 12, which provides for the right to be heard and to participate in decision making.
Article 12
1. States Parties shall assure to the child who is capable of forming his or her own views the right to express those views freely in all matters affecting the child, the views of the child being given due weight in accordance with the age and maturity of the child.
2. For this purpose, the child shall in particular be provided the opportunity to be heard in any judicial and administrative proceedings affecting the child, either directly, or through a representative or an appropriate body, in a manner consistent with the procedural rules of national law.
How we work
Independent Advocacy Service
EPIC operates the only National Advocacy Service for children in care and young care- leavers. Our team of Advocates provide direct 1:1 advocacy to assist children and young people to have their views and concerns represented in decisions related to their care.
They also work to empower them to speak for themselves, resolve the issues and problems they experience, and access the services and resources they need to bring about positive change in their lives.
Youth Engagement
and Participation
EPIC is committed to promoting positive care identities and building a strong Care Community. We aim to achieve this by providing spaces for connection, fun, and growth, as well as opportunities for action and learning by working on campaigns and projects.
Our Youth Councils are representative groups of care-experienced children and young people that work with EPIC on specific issues at national level, contributing to our advocacy and engagement with Government and media.
Research and Policy
EPIC works to ensure that the rights of children in care are upheld in national policy and legislation. We are committed to influencing policy, legislation, and practice to ensure better outcomes for children in care and care leavers. We also conduct participative research to document the diverse experiences of children in care and care-leavers.
Our research and policy are informed by the data generated by our Advocacy Service caseload and aims to provide an evidence base to support national decision making on alternative care.