What is a Corporate Parent?
A Corporate Parent is one of the following individuals or bodies which are named in the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014.
Under this legislation, Corporate Parents have specific duties and responsibilities towards Care Experienced children and young people up to the age of 26 (although many Corporate Parents go further and extend their support and policies to Care Experienced adults above the age of 26, which we celebrate and consider best practice).
Although the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act has been enacted since 2015, the idea of Corporate Parenting is not new. The term first appeared in the late 1990s, and the concept of Corporate Parenting has actively informed Scottish Government policy since its 2007 report, ‘Looked After Children and Young People: We Can and Must Do Better’.
When the state takes on a parental role for a child or young person, we all have a part to play in their wellbeing. Corporate Parents have a vital role to play in ensuring the rights of Care Experienced people are upheld, and that they have the best chances and outcomes in life. Corporate Parenting is all about asking – “would this be good enough for my child?” Just as it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a diverse network of Corporate Parents to support the Care Experienced community.
Corporate Parenting Duties
As a Corporate Parent, you have the following duties as set out in the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014:
You can find more extensive guidance around these duties and what they mean here.
Corporate Parenting Network
Are you a Proud Corporate Parent? Do you want an opportunity to shout about the work you’re doing for Care Experienced people, while learning what others outside of your own sector are doing?
We’re looking for Corporate Parents who are passionate, driven and excited about Corporate Parenting to connect with other like-minded individuals based not on locality or sector, but a desire to make a difference for the Care Experienced community.
CORPORATE PARENTS TOLD US they wanted more opportunities to collaborate and ways to keep Corporate Parenting on the agenda.
CORPORATE PARENTS WANTED real, tangible examples of positive Corporate Parenting from other organisations which they can learn from/adapt for their own teams.
INTRODUCING The Who Cares? Scotland Collaborative Corporate Parenting Network: a space for Corporate Parenting pioneers to come together and collaborate and share Corporate Parenting plans and ambitions in an informal, exploratory way.
Together we can improve the lives of those with care experience. We look forward to hearing from you!
Contact us by emailing: corporateparenting@whocaresscotland.org
Corporate Parenting Learning Hub
Who Cares? Scotland have created a Resource Library which hosts a number of individual and thematic digital resources. On this page you’ll find the most recent Corporate Parenting resources which can be downloaded and integrated into existing training platforms.
Support for Implementation of Resources
We are more than happy to offer support and guidance on implementing these resources within your own training programme, or to assist in the development of bespoke resources or modules which offer more contextual insight into the function of your organisation and how it relates to young people. If you would like to discuss the possibility of co-developing e-learning resources and/or bespoke materials, please email corporateparenting@whocaresscotland.org
Corporate Parenting Newsletter and Promising Practice 2025 – 2026 Issue One
In the first issue of our 2025 -2026 Newsletters we share some of our newest resources and a collaboration with Scottish Qualifications Authority.
Corporate Parenting: A guidance document for Finance Departments
Part of a series of guidance documents to support non operational roles within Corporate Parenting organisations to understand their Corporate Parenting duties and how to fulfil these in practice to support the Care Experienced community to thrive. This document is aimed specifically at Finance departments.
Corporate Parenting: A guidance document for Human Resource Departments
Part of a series of guidance documents to support non operational roles within Corporate Parenting organisations to understand their Corporate Parenting duties and how to fulfil these in practice to support the Care Experienced community to thrive. This document is aimed specifically at Human Resource departments.
What is Corporate Parenting? – For the Care Experienced Community
This video explains the responsibilities and duties of Corporate Parents in Scotland. Some Corporate Parents also share their messages for the Care Experienced community.
What is Corporate Parenting? – For Corporate Parents
This video explains the responsibilities and duties of Corporate Parents in Scotland. Some Corporate Parents also share what Corporate Parenting means to them and why they think that it is so important.
Support from the Education and Engagement Team
In this video some of Scotland’s Corporate Parents talk about the support they have received from Who Cares? Scotland’s Education and Engagement Team.
Alex’s Story – Part One
In Part One of this video series we meet Alex as she shares her journey through care and reflects on how it has impacted her life. Parts Two and Three can be found on our Resource Library.
Alex’s Story – Part Two
In Part Two of Alex’s story we follow Alex from the age of 17 as she leaves care and moves into her own home. Parts One and Three can be found on our Resource Library.
Alex’s Story – Part Three
In Part Three of Alex’s story we follow Alex from the age of 26 and beyond. Parts One and Two can be found on our Resource Library.
Scottish Government’s Corporate Parenting Progress Report – Summary Report
This is a summary of the Scottish Government’s Corporate Parenting report for 2021 – 2024 and has been created by Who Cares? Scotland.
Corporate Parenting Newsletter and Promising Practice – Winter – 2024/5
This edition of our Newsletter includes Promising Practice examples from St Peter’s Primary School and Social Security Scotland.
Post Training Pack for Corporate Parents – 2024
This post training pack is for Corporate Parents who have received a training session from the Education and Engagement Team at Who Cares? Scotland.
Want to check out the full Resource Library?
Here you’ll find our full range of resources which can be filtered by type and theme depending on what you are looking for.
Filter by theme ‘Corporate Parenting’ to see all our resources.
Training and support for Corporate Parents
The Education & Engagement Team at Who Cares? Scotland offers fully-funded support to Corporate Parents across Scotland. Find out more about this offer on our Training & Support page.
Our Photos
Take a look at the photo albums from our most recent Corporate Parenting events.
