Looking back on the 2024 STARS awards

Sharing Talent and Recognising Success (STARS)

The STARS awards celebrate and recognise the progress, achievements and talents of all looked after children and young people in Leeds aged 0-18, and have been taking place in Leeds since 2013. The awards are planned together with young people who are part of the ‘Children in Care Council’ and ‘Care Leavers Council’. This year the STARS awards events were funded by the Virtual School.

Categories, nominations and shortlisting…

This year foster carers, family members, teachers, social workers and many others had the opportunity to nominate a young person they know, in one of 6 categories:

We received 178 nominations! With the youngest nominee being 3 years old, and the oldest 18 years old!

Everyone nominated is considered a winner, and invited to the awards ceremony, but a shortlisting process also took place where members of the Corporate Parenting Operational group – Ben Finley, Jancis Andrew, Janine Craven, Sarah Westaway, Angela Dillon and Claire Mo – chose a ‘superstar winner’ in each category.

A star-studded day…

Two separate ceremonies were held – a children’s event for 0-12 year olds, and a young person’s event for 13-18 year olds. The children’s STARS awards had 120 attendees, and the young person’s event had 180 attendees.

There were lots of activities put on for all attendees, including hip hop workshops with CFL ambassador ‘Hello Hip Hop’ which were a highlight for many attendees.

“I loved Hip Hop Phil, make sure he comes along next time” – young attendee

Other activities included:

• Live band and disco
• Arts and crafts including jewellery making
• Pool table and photo booth
• Board games and fun activities
• Henna and glitter tattoos
• Voice Influence and Change stand
• Child Friendly Leeds stand

All children and young people nominated are STARS awards winners and are invited to the events where they are invited onto stage to receive a certificate and voucher. The superstar winners are also revealed, and are invited on stage again, to receive an additional certificate and prize.

The events were attended by Councillors as well as senior leaders from the Council’s Children and Families Directorate, who had a fantastic time meeting lots of young people and hearing about their achievements and progress.

“It was a fantastic occasion. I really enjoyed it and our young people’s confidence and achievements – wonderful.”

What young people and their parent/carers said about the event…

“It was great seeing the young people being recognised.” – Care Leavers Council member

“I had so much fun and loved meeting lots of new young people!” – Children in Care council member

“We just wanted to say a big thankyou to all involved in putting on this fantastic ceremony. We really did enjoy it and our girls absolutely loved it! Thankyou for their certificate and their shopping voucher which they’ll really enjoy spending too. What a great day! Thank you again for all your hard work in putting on this lovely event for our children. – Carer who attended the event

Now, all that’s left to do is look forward to the 2025 STARS Awards. Look out for nominations opening in 2025!