A massive thank you to the Institute of Directors for inviting Brightly & the JSPCA to speak at their Christmas lunch yesterday and for the very kind donation of £520.00. A speech was also given by Chief Minister John Le Fondre.

Here is an extract from Steve Harvey our Chief Executive’s speech:

"The States of Jersey are the Corporate Parent, this term describes an organisation who has special responsibilities to care experienced and looked after children and young people. In simple terms, a corporate parent is intended to carry out many of the roles a parent would.  

You might be surprised to learn that when it comes to what will be provided for those in care, the States of Jersey are not very clear. They simply say they will pay for ‘the basic requirements that parents would normally pay for their own children’. This is unfortunately far too vague and open to many interpretations. What one parent would normally pay for will be very different to what another would pay for!

So, in reality, it is often left to Brightly to ensure that many of the things that, under different circumstances the bank of mum and dad would cover, are actually provided. Therefore, typically someone who knows the child or young person well will make an application to us for our help, on behalf of the child or young person in care or leaving care.’’