Scottish Government Consultation Roadshows: How can we change care?

What’s it all about?

The Scottish Government has asked Who Cares? Scotland and Barnardo’s to meet with Care Experienced children and young people (up to age 26) and ask them to share their views on some important questions.  The Scottish Government want to know what Care Experienced young people think about these four consultations:  

• Moving On
• The Redesign of the Children’s Hearing System
• The Future of Foster Care
• The Definition of Care Experience

Who Cares? Scotland and Barnardo’s will listen to what Care Experienced children and young people have to say, collect all this information and  present the views gathered in a series of reports to the Scottish Government in February 2025.

Who can take part?

In these initial roadshows, young people with Care Experience aged 16 to 26. 

The Scottish Government have specific parameters about this piece of engagement being for young people, but they have plans to make sure they are also listening to the voices of children and 26+ Care Experienced people. As soon as we know more about this, we’ll share it with you.

What will we ask you to do?

We are asking you to tell us what you think about these important topics by attending one of our fun roadshow events or by joining us online. We are holding roadshows across the country during November and December– see below for dates and venues!

• If you agree to join a roadshow or online event, we will collect some information about you via the online registration form (information like your age, gender, ethnicity, disability, the local authority you live in, and your care experience). We collect this information so that we know the characteristics of those attending the events. This information will not be linked to your name in any of the reports.
• We will listen to what you say, take notes, and gather your views in fun ways such as with cool worksheets.
• If you help us with a roadshow or online event, we might use some of your words in our reports, but we will not tell people who said it.
• If you disclose anything at a roadshow or online event that means that someone may be in danger we have to follow Who Cares? Scotland’s Safeguarding processes.

How will your information be used?

The information we gather via the online registration form noted above will be stored safely by Who Cares? Scotland until the end of the project. We will then securely transfer it to the Scottish Government in an anonymised and collated way that cannot be linked to you.

The information we gather at the roadshows and online events will be stored safely by Who Cares? Scotland until the end of the project. We will then securely transfer it to the Scottish Government in an anonymised and collated way that cannot be linked to you.

The Scottish Government have indicated that any views shared will be properly considered and will contribute towards next steps, which could include actions such as legislation, guidance, and wider policy development.

Data Protection

We will keep the things you tell us safe, but if you have any questions about how we’re using the information, or think we should do it differently, you or your carer can contact DataProtectionOfficer@gov.scot You and your carer can read more information on how your information is kept safe here: https://www.gov.scot/privacy/