What does Care Experienced mean?

The term "Care Experienced" refers to anyone who is currently in care or has been for any length of time regardless of their age.

This care may have been provided in many different settings, such as:

Kinship Care

Living with a relative who is not your mum or dad

Looked After At Home

With the help of social work

Residential Care

Living in a residential home or school

Foster Care

living with foster carers

Secure Care

Living in a secure accommodation

Adoption

Living with adoptive parents

Our vision

A lifetime of equality, respect and love for Care Experienced people.

What we do

Membership

Who Cares? Scotland is a membership organisation with over 3,700 Care Experienced members, of all ages and experiences, from all over Scotland. Our members are at the front and centre of our work and ensuring they feel well represented, valued and connected is of the utmost importance and key to our participation and influencing work.

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Advocacy

We strive to provide advocacy that helps young people feel respected, included, listened to and understood. We’re independent to any care services a young person receives – this is crucial because we want young people to be supported and understood with no conflict of interest. We've also set up The Helpline to support Care Experienced people by providing lifelong advocacy throughout Scotland. We can support, signpost and offer choice when you feel there is nowhere else to turn.

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Participation

We understand the importance of connecting with people who have similar or shared experiences, which is why we support and resource safe and valued local, regional and national spaces, bringing members together to build peer relationships, explore their identities and shape the world around them. We offer a wide range of groups, activities and events for Care Experienced people across Scotland.

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Education & Influencing

We support and empower individuals to develop as representatives who can speak on behalf of our membership. We gather members together, invest in them, and support them to elevate their collective voice. Our members help to shape and inform Who Cares? Scotland’s decision-making processes as well as having the aspiration to positively change Scottish culture to ensure a better future for Care Experienced people

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Our logo

In 2021 our members voted on a new logo. The logo they chose better reflects our values, history and our lifelong offer of love to all Care Experienced people.

Watch this video to find out what our logo stands for.

Our strategic plan for 2023 – 2027

Our vision is supported by five key priorities:

Upholding Rights

Through relationship-based, Independent Advocacy, we support Care Experienced people of all ages to have their rights met.

Influencing Change

By listening to what Care Experienced people tell us, we further develop our evidence-base which supports our asks of decision makers with the ability to bring about positive change.

Creating Connection

In bringing Care Experienced people together, we create spaces for fun, friendship and belonging, as well as opportunities to engage with influencing opportunities.

Providing Opportunities

Through our membership offer which promotes a positive sense of care identity, we provide additional opportunities and build an engaged community of Care Experienced people.

Creating Communities that Care

By delivering our work in communities across Scotland, we create care aware communities which can support everyone to thrive.

Read our strategic plan
Find out about our progress so far

Latest NEWS

Belonging by Alastair McIver

Blog, Members

Member, Alastair McIver, describes his experience speaking at the 2024 Love Rally and the difference between ‘fitting in’ and true belonging. First published in the Winter 24 issue of SpeakOut.

£8 Entry to Edinburgh Zoo

Member Benefit

Edinburgh Zoo are giving Who Cares? Scotland members and their families/friends entry for only £8! To access the discount email membership@whocaresscotland.org with your name, contact number and the number of tickets you…

30% off Entry to Loch Lomond Sea Life Centre

Member Benefit

Loch Lomond Sea Life Centre is offering an exclusive 30% discount off the entrance fee to our members! Get discount now Care Experienced but not yet a Who Cares? Scotland…

Free Tickets to Raith Rovers FC

Member Benefit

Raith Rovers FC are offering up to 4 Match Day tickets for home games for our members! Tickets need to be claimed 2 weeks in advance of each home game.…

Free Tickets to Dunfermline Athletic FC

Member Benefit

Dunfermline Athletic FC are offering up to 4 Match Day tickets for home games for our members! Tickets need to be claimed 2 weeks in advance of each home game.…

50% off a PureGym Membership​

Member Benefit

We are thrilled to announce that we have partnered with PureGym!  At the heart of our collaboration lies a shared commitment to empowering people to lead healthy, active, and fulfilling…

Carmel’s Christmas Story

Blog, Fundraising

Our Board Chair, Carmel Jacob, shares her Christmas story and tells us why she’s determined to swim 26 miles this December to raise money for Who Cares? Scotland’s Care Family Christmas.

10% off Wood Leisure Holiday Parks

Member Benefit

At Wood Leisure, they understand that because every family is different, every holiday is different. Their five holiday parks in Scotland offer something for everyone, whatever your party size or…

20% off National Intensive Driving Lessons

Member Benefit

Who Cares? Scotland members can get 20% off driving lessons with National Intensive using a special code. Email and get your 20% off code now For more information and to…

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