Who Cares? Scotland and the Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland (CYPCS), today officially launched a selection of resources aimed at helping care experienced young people understand their rights to care.
Following consultation with care experienced young people and the professionals supporting them, Who Cares? Scotland and CYPCS focused on creating resources to aid the understanding of continuing care and aftercare, as these were identified as areas of the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 where understanding could most be improved.
Duncan Dunlop, CEO of Who Cares? Scotland, said:
“The care system and corresponding legislation can be incredibly complicated, and it’s vital for everyone to make sure that the young people growing up in this system, understand their rights and the support they’re entitled to, in a way that is readily accessible to them.
Once you leave the care system, you can’t return. This means understanding the implications of leaving is vital to a successful future out with the system.
Our work with the Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland has been informed by care experienced young people, and we look forward to supporting them to make better and more knowledgeable decisions about their futures.”
The resources were designed to accommodate accessibility, and the selection includes a website, leaflet and pull out flowchart. The website includes the same information as the leaflets, as well as extra information sheets on other parts of the Children and Young People’s Act, including part 9, “Corporate Parenting”, and part 12, “Services in Relation to Children at Risk of Becoming Looked After”. The website also includes engaging videos featuring young people discussing their own experiences of leaving care and clear explanations of what care experienced young people’s rights are.
Charles McFarlane, Who Cares? Scotland Policy Assistant, said:
“It can be difficult to know what choices you have, and leaving care is a really scary time. The rest of your life depends on these decisions and we need to know all of the implications before deciding whether or not to leave.”
To find out more about the Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland, click here.
