On Thursday 28th October the ‘Our Say Counts’ participation group travelled to London to interview Tim Loughton – the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Children and Families- and local MP for East Worthing and Shoreham. Mr Loughton’s responsibilities include children in care, children’s trusts, children’s services inspection, social work taskforce, children’s workforce, domestic violence, sport, youth services and youth crime - so there was lots to talk about!

The group finalised their questions over a leisurely lunch before going off to meet the MP and his team at Portcullis House in Westminster. This impressive building opposite Big Ben is home to 210 MP’s and their staff.

The entrance was guarded by armed police and we had to submit our bags and coats for x-raying, as well as passing through a metal detector and undergoing a body check. Normally the pubic are only allowed access to the ground floor waiting area but we were given special passes to meet the MP on the second floor.