Developing a universal definition of 'care experience': consultation

Ministerial Foreword

The Scottish Government wants Scotland to be the best place in the world to grow up. To make that happen, we are taking a progressive and continually improving approach to support our children and young people to have the best possible chance to thrive.

This ambition is reflected further in our steadfast commitment to keep The Promise and do all that we can to ensure that our children and young people with care experience are given the support, love and nurture that they need.

As the Minister for Children, Young People and The Promise I have the honour to meet regularly with people across Scotland who have experience of care. I am grateful, informed and inspired by the honest and open reflections that have been shared with me. Thank you.

The Promise tells us that while it is not a legal term, ‘care experience’ is a term that has a special and different meaning for many of the people who identify with it. Ensuring that we get our terminology right and use it appropriately is important. Without this, it can mean that access to services and supports may not be readily available to those who need it, but can importantly lead to stigmatising assumptions, attitudes and behaviours that can impact on all areas of a child or young person’s life, now and into the future.

The Scottish Government is committed to working with the care experienced community and partners across Scotland to progress work to develop and agree this universal definition. This consultation is the start of that conversation.

As well as written responses there will be opportunities, across Scotland, for you to be engaged and have your voice heard in this work. I welcome and encourage you to get involved.

Your valuable insights will support Scotland to keep The Promise and positively impact the experiences of our children, young people, adults and families with care experience both now and for the generations to come.

Natalie Don-Innes, MSP

Minister for Children, Young People and the Promise