'Moving On' from care into adulthood: consultation analysis

4. Support for specific groups of people leaving care

This chapter presents an analysis of responses to questions on support to help enable transitions which lead to the best possible outcomes for specific groups of young people. The questions consider the following groups:

• Q15 and Q16 ask about support for young people leaving secure care.
• Q17 and Q18 cover support for young people leaving Scotland’s Young Offender Institutions or prisons.
• Suggestions for Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children who have left care are examined in Q19 and Q20.
• Support for disabled young people is studied in Q21 and Q22.
• Finally, Q23-Q25 ask about support for young people who have left care as parents.

Support for young people leaving secure care

The following questions ask about the support for young people leaving secure care. The consultation notes that transitioning from a secure environment should be facilitated with understanding, care and planning, and notes that The Promise recommends those leaving secure care must retain social work support.

Q15. What improvements do you think could be made to the support given to those leaving secure care?

More information

Three fifths of respondents left a comment at Q15. A common theme was that more information would improve the support given to those leaving secure care. This included signposting to services such as mental health assistance, trauma and grief counselling, mentoring groups, homelessness assistance, supporting family relationships and substance abuse support; and access to practical information about managing daily life, such as budgeting, how to use public transportation, accessing education, and general local information.

“In addition to these material and practical needs, like all children, care experienced children need care, love and trusting relationships in their lives. They need educational opportunities and connections within their communities that allow them to reach their full potential. Providing these supports for their emotional wellbeing is just as important as supporting material and practical needs.” - CELCIS, the Centre for Excellence for Children's Care and Protection

Gradual transition

Another common theme was the suggestion that transitions from secure care should happen at a pace suited to each young person, emphasising the importance of a stepped or gradual transition. Respondents suggested that a gradual transition would provide time and space for a young person to feel more comfortable living independently and allow them to acclimatise to new communities and surroundings.

“A step-by-step process where support is gradually reduced, an initial move into supported accommodation with a warden and where support is onsite and can gradually be reduced as independence is gained, before moving out into independent accommodation.” – Individual

Respondents also noted the need for a staged approach to care planning. A common theme was the importance of all services being notified of any changes in an individual’s needs. They argued this time was required to assess the next best steps and ensure support is in place to enable the young person to maintain connections or develop new relationships. East Lothian Council Children’s Services also suggested that planning and moving at a suitable pace would give young people time to become more acquainted with their new independence to ensure they are successful in their next move.

Consistency over time

The importance of maintaining relationships with key workers, therapists or trusted adults was mentioned by several respondents. They noted that consistent relationships would help a young person transition out of secure care. A few local authorities gave the example of retaining access to mental health support through CAMHS rather than moving immediately to any waitlist for adult services. This was also reflected as a concern in engagement events.

Improve standards and regulations

Some respondents mentioned that secure care standards and pathways needed to be followed to improve the support currently provided. This included a recommendation by the Scottish Children's Reporter Administration to expand the definition of secure accommodation, recognising that mental health wards for children and young people can act in the same way as a secure accommodation. They stated that support is not currently provided to children on discharge from a hospital in the same way that it would be provided to children leaving secure accommodation.

Recurring themes

Respondents reiterated the need for multi-agency working and person-centred, flexible care, which are both discussed in more detail at Q1 in Chapter 1 and throughout the report.

Q16. How do we ensure all young people in Scotland get equal access to the support services they need during the transition from and after leaving secure care?

Nationally-led principals, protocols and legislation

Just under three fifths of respondents provided a response to Q16. A common theme was a recommendation to establish national standards and protocols to ensure all young people in Scotland get equal access to the support and services they need during their transition from secure care.

While some respondents spoke generally about the benefit of national protocols, some suggested specific models to follow. Some respondents, including CELCIS, recommended legislative change to allow young people remaining in secure care to access Continuing Care.

Glasgow Health and Social Care Partnership suggested a set of standards for young people in secure care and, more broadly, for those in Young Offender Institutions, regardless of whether they are in the care system, to provide them with intensive support and services. Aberdeen City Council recommended implementing the community-based hub models described in Reimagining Secure Care, a project by the Children and Young People's Centre for Justice. Others suggested providing safe accommodation after leaving secure care, although they did not provide further details.

Consistency

Reasserting the importance of nationally-led programmes, several respondents emphasised the importance of consistency of service and support across Scotland. A few respondents specifically highlighted the Highlands and Islands as having limited services or requiring recipients to travel for specific support. Dumfries and Galloway Council also recommended ensuring transitional units and services are equally available throughout Scotland, as should intensive community support teams, to ensure a smoother transition from secure care into local communities.

Improve care planning and assessments

Several other respondents suggested that creating clear care or pathway plans would help to ensure needs are met. Respondents noted the importance of including staff within the secure care setting, and those who are community-based, in care planning. A few also suggested that the young person be included.

“By automatically being entitled to aftercare support this should ensure young people are then given an allocated worker, a pathways plan and reviews to ensure their needs are being met. This would have to be in conjunction with removing the discretionary element of entitlement for after care support otherwise the support will only last until they are 19 and then have to be assessed for eligible needs from there. This could be the point that many young people will fall off the cliff edge.” - Individual

Multi-agency approach

The importance of multi-agency collaboration was noted by several respondents. Along with the benefits of the multi-agency approach discussed in more depth at Q1, these respondents felt it was particularly important to ensure that secure care workers connect with community workers, even when it required coordination across local authorities.

Increased resources

Some suggested further investment, particularly in transitional, intermediate, or community supportive care, to ensure that those leaving secure care receive the support which meets their needs.

Early intervention

Early intervention, alongside access to support during transitions, was mentioned by a small number of respondents. One suggested this would help ensure the transition process was not too overwhelming, while Cyrenians mentioned that they “believe there are a lot of missed opportunities for preventative work with children and families before they enter secure care.”

“The team around the child requires to support the young person from the earliest opportunity and then throughout their journey in secure care. This should then follow on as the young person transitions and leaves.” - South Lanarkshire Council

Support when leaving Young Offender Institutions and prisons

The consultation paper notes that young people can face obstacles when they leave prison, which can impact their ability to adjust to the next stage of their lives. The Scottish Government has committed to no longer placing people under the age of 18 in Young Offender Institutions and all young people under 18 were removed from institutions by 28^th August 2024. However, it is important that all young adults with care experience who are in prison, or other secure accommodation, have the right support and relationships in place when they leave.

Q17. What improvements could be made to the support given to people with care experience at the transition point from leaving young offenders institutions or prison?

Daily living support

Two thirds of respondents answered Q17. A common theme across responses was suggestions for more support to meet the broad range of needs among young people transitioning from Young Offender Institutions or prisons. This included more assistance for accommodation; support to access education, training, voluntary roles or employment and support within communities. Other types of support mentioned included mental health provision, financial or budgeting education, and assistance in maintaining relationships and avoiding social isolation. Public Health Scotland highlighted that this support should come from local and national services and be maximised for young people with care experience leaving Young Offender Institutions or prisons.

Another common theme was the emphasis of the importance of daily living support laid out in clear transition plans. In these comments, respondents suggested that actions be taken on behalf of the young person, such as planning for accommodation and benefits, but also alongside them and within any pre-existing Child’s Plan to ensure continuity of care.

Some respondents noted that they felt effective support can reduce the likelihood of reoffending.

“We look to ensure young people are supported in the initial stages, supported to access longer term finance and/or training and employability, in order to help young people feel purposeful and reduce the risk of re-offending.” – Stirling Council

Preparing young people to leave secure facilities and providing them with training in daily living skills was also mentioned as important at the engagement event with Inside Out.

Promote and maintain key relationships

Several respondents mentioned the importance of key relationships in overcoming barriers to reintegration. Respondents noted that social workers, support workers, carers and families should try and maintain relationships during custody, as it may help when a young person returns back to the community. Others recommended mentoring services as a way to introduce young people to those who have had similar experiences.

Working with the young person to plan

Including young people in the development of their transition plans, to ensure that they have some knowledge and skills when they leave Young Offender Institutions or prisons, was mentioned by some respondents. This included making young people aware of welfare entitlements and support from agencies such as Skills Development Scotland. Others mentioned support to register with GPs, mental health services, dentists and pharmacies. Respondents noted that this would not only provide young people with knowledge of systems outside of secure institutions but also begin to get them established within a community.

“It may be that young people in custodial settings have more difficulty in developing any future vision of self. This should be the starting point. Developing this vision may take some time.” - Scottish Children's Reporter Administration (SCRA)

Some respondents also recommended planning take place as early as possible. West Lothian Council noted that “At the point of remand, young people are highlighted to Youth Justice where there is liaison with Institutions regarding care, risk, need and background assessments. This allows for appropriate information sharing, planning and supports to be in place post-release.”

Attendees at the engagement event with Inside Out gave examples of being told they were living in unsuitable accommodation, such as a hotel without access to laundry or kitchen facilities, or that they did not have a plan upon leaving secure facilities. Attendees also noted that they may be required to stay in unsuitable housing as a part of their license conditions, which may create a risk that they breach their conditions in order to find suitable housing, such as with family, and subsequently be returned to secure facilities.

Work with secure care accommodation

Several respondents emphasised that young people with care experience who enter Young Offender Institutions do not stop being care experienced. They suggested that social workers and those responsible for the young person’s care should work with staff insecure accommodation to ensure that their care experience is registered and the right supports are provided. Who Cares? Scotland mentioned they have “supported some cases where the Continuing Care or Aftercare team have continued to hold pathways meetings for the young person, stay connected with them throughout short sentences, and ensure they have a high level of support on leaving YOIs or prison”. They highlight they have heard anecdotally that, in some cases, this helped to stop reoffending.

Legislative changes

Providing compulsory Aftercare to young people leaving Young Offender Institutions or prisons was mentioned by some respondents. Who Cares? Scotland described different regional approaches to how this is addressed, and recommended a national strategy, an idea supported by others.

Q18. How do we ensure all young people get access to the same support services when they are leaving young offenders institutions or prison, regardless of where they are located in Scotland?

National guidelines and standards

Two thirds of respondents provided a response at Q18. A common theme was a recommendation for the establishment of national guidelines and standards for the aftercare of young people leaving Young Offender Institutions or prisons. Respondents reiterated responses provided in Q17, noting that this group deserve access to the care available for all care experienced young people.

“While the lives of care experienced young people may be disrupted by custody, the principles of continuing care continue to apply and should inform and underpin all forms of post-release support. Although written for a regulated care setting, the Care Inspectorate Guidance for services on the provision of continuing care, throughcare, and aftercare.” - Care Inspectorate

Improved collaboration

Several respondents called for improved collaboration between the agencies involved in a young person’s care, both within the justice system and the care system, and across the public and third sectors. Inclusion of the care teams from the local authorities that become home to the young person was also mentioned by a few.

“This needs to be developed alongside service provisions within local authority social work departments. It could be that there is need for an additional transitional role between children’s services / criminal justice / mental health / community social work – which takes elements across all disciplines for young people (where relevant) and can work accordingly. Or each current social work discipline is enhanced by specific training in relation to transition and overlap between the different social work specialisations.” - Scottish Children's Reporter Administration (SCRA)

A few others also suggested the inclusion of support linked to community resources during time in custody, as described in responses to Q17.

Resourcing

A need for more funding to adequately resource support was mentioned by some respondents, who noted that implementing improvements will only be possible with more resources.

Rural area concerns

Some respondents reiterated their support for national protocols and resourcing to address geographical issues in service delivery, particularly in rural parts of Scotland. A few shared general comments about the importance of equal provision, however, their comments did not provide specific details about what should be addressed.

Care plans and assessments

A few respondents reiterated comments made at Q17 about the importance of working with young people in a person-centred way to plan their next steps, particularly around the practical aspects of community integration. Support for Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children leaving care

This section asks about the services and support for unaccompanied children and young people who have sought asylum in Scotland and who are ‘looked after’ under Section 25 of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995. The consultation paper notes that children and young people who arrive as unaccompanied asylum seekers have fewer connections to social services, and may have additional mental and physical health needs due to their experiences before arriving in Scotland.

Q19. Can you share details of any services that are already working well to support unaccompanied asylum seeking young people transitioning out of care?

The wider public sector

Just under half of all respondents provided a response to Q19. Several respondents gave examples of existing support that they believe work well. These included local authority Transition teams, Throughcare and Aftercare Teams, social workers and youth workers, and national services including the Scottish Guardianship Service. A few mentioned CAMHS services and police training in cultural awareness. Some local authorities described the value of initiatives such as free bus passes. Other examples of good practice mentioned by respondents included:

• West Lothian Council, where they incorporated support for unaccompanied asylum seeking young people into a workstream which reports to the Corporate Parenting Strategic Group. They also hold networking events for staff to hear national updates, such as demographic data and practice changes, from organisations like the Scottish Refugee Council.
• East Ayrshire Council’s Vibrant Communities have extended services to provide English lessons for speakers of other languages.
• Aberdeen City Council have commissioned Action for Children locally to provide aftercare support services.
• East Lothian Council provides welcome packs with information about public services, travel and education. They also provide headphones and relaxation packs, and there are community quilters who provide patchwork quilts. Information is translated into a child or young person’s first language.
• Dumfries and Galloway mentioned using peer support networks to help newly arrived young people integrate into the community and assist with any challenges.

A few respondents described successful partnerships with third sector organisations and community groups. For example, Highland Council works alongside Barnardo’s and Aberlour to support young people with their transition into adulthood, Glasgow Health and Social Care Partnership works alongside Student Accommodation and a host family scheme to move young people out of Supported Accommodation if appropriate, once they have started education, and East Lothian Council Children’s Services mentioned good communication with Aberlour Guardianship services to help progress asylum applications and ensure that young people’s views are considered.

“In some local authorities, e.g. Highland, a coalition of third sector partners (Comraich Service) offer support at every stage. This model is one way to ensure continuity of care and connection for young people. The people who support them work closely together and can ensure that additional needs and abilities are recognised and brought into a holistic care plan that makes the transition smoother to navigate.” – Who Cares? Scotland

Glasgow Health and Social Care Partnership also mentioned that Council Tax exemption until young people turn 26 is available, which helps young people transition out of care.

Third sector services

Support delivered by third sector organisations was mentioned by several respondents. Some mentioned an organisation without explaining what services they offer; others provided more detail. Examples included:

• My Place: support where unaccompanied asylum seeking young people can share a flat with a peer mentor who is Scottish.
• The Rock Trust: support to settle unaccompanied asylum seeking young people into their new homes upon transitioning out of care.
• Action for Children’s summer programme to allow young people to learn new skills.
• Cyrenians’ team of skilled key workers who provide support to asylum seeking young people.
• Yahya’s Hub
• Children and families across borders' (CFAB)
• Barnardo’s
• Project Esperanza
• Aberdeen Foyer
• Blue Triangle

Others commented that unaccompanied asylum seeking young people receive access to community support, including faith-based resources.

“The Drawing Together Project research showed that local peer and faith-based community of origin groups are essential to the wellbeing of young refugees. The role of these groups should be promoted in policy, and their long-term funding sustained by Scottish Government, as recommended by research on the implementation of the New Scots Refugee Integration strategy.” - CELCIS, the Centre for Excellence for Children's Care and Protection

Operating outside of Scotland, the work of the Allies Project was noted for its work to assist asylum seeking young people with their mental wellbeing and help to combat social isolation and support resilience.

Q20. What supports and/or improvements do you think could be implemented to ensure we meet the particular needs of unaccompanied asylum seeking young people transitioning out of care in Scotland?

Community support

Just over half of the consultation respondents answered Q20. A common theme was that community support should be improved or implemented to meet the needs of young people. This included general comments around support to address social isolation and specific suggestions, such as cooking and cultural classes to preserve connections with young people’s countries of origin. Access to peer support and faith-based communities was mentioned by CELCIS as a consideration.

A few respondents recommended community support to help young people with important practical matters such as GP registration, benefits or job applications and paying bills.

Access to sports activities and community activities so they feel included, link in with local mosques, developing support networks for them as they often have no-one to turn to.” East Lothian Council Children's Services

Several others noted the need to have information translated to ensure it is accessible for all.

Access to education

Access to education and language training courses was mentioned by several respondents. Some mentioned provision of access to English language classes and others suggested partnerships with colleges, or assistance and pathways to university entrance. A few suggested that access to English courses and further or higher education would allow these young people access to secure jobs and avoid exploitation.

Emotional and mental wellbeing support

Support to address trauma, such as that experienced due to separation from family, experiences of conflict situations or displacement from home; or due to other mental health and emotional wellbeing needs, was recommended by several respondents. Aberdeen City Council noted that provision needed to be improved in parts of Scotland.

“There is no specialist NHS Mental Health in the North East to support UASYP’s who have experience of complex trauma.” Aberdeen City Council

Trauma-informed workforce

As highlighted throughout this analysis, trauma-informed training for staff was mentioned by several respondents. In addition to the comments already made, respondents thought it was important for staff to understand the cultural, emotional and practical challenges faced by this group of young people. A few others also suggested that staff should receive some cultural awareness training.

Improve housing issues

A shortage of appropriate housing was mentioned by some. Respondents suggested increasing access to suitable housing in places where young people transitioning out of care want to live, particularly in urban areas near universities and work opportunities. This was also reflected in engagement events, such as the Staf Care Leavers into Education, Employment and Training Meeting, where the experiences of young people from Afghanistan wanting to move to Glasgow to be close to mosques, cafes and established communities was mentioned. Attendees at the engagement event for practitioners facilitated by CELCIS described how young people felt welcomed into urban communities and the positive impact that finding a supportive environment has on these young people.

Care planning

As with other groups of young people with care experience, improvements to care planning was mentioned by some. Respondents noted that establishing pathways and assessments should involve collaboration from different stakeholders, including Home Office Asylum Support, local third sector organisations, immigration advisors and local authorities, as immigration legislation needs to be considered when planning for the future.

“A young person who has exhausted all appeal rights could be at risk of destitution and homelessness and therefore planning must include establishing a pathway that supports them to avoid this. This could include signposting them to appropriate immigration advice, 3rd sector support, support into employment if they have permission to work or exploring voluntary return to their country of origin.” – Public Health Scotland

A few also recommended including advocacy organisations with language skills and specialist training to assist with transition planning.

Funding and resourcing

Some organisational respondents noted that funding for programmes, accommodation and support work for Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children leaving care was too low. They advocated for increased government funding to support this area of work.

Support leave to remain status

Access to assistance to progress a young person’s leave to remain application was mentioned by some. Respondents noted that without leave to remain, young people are unable to access benefits and stressed that the slow process can leave people transitioning from care in a state of uncertainty. These respondents felt that resources should be provided to assist with the legal aspects of the application.

“Take a proactive and informed role in supporting looked after children and care leavers through any immigration applications and appeals. Enable those who are eligible to apply for permanent status and British citizenship.” - CELCIS, the Centre for Excellence for Children's Care and Protection

Support for disabled young people leaving care

Some young people transitioning from care will also be disabled. To ensure they have what they need for a positive and supported experience, their needs and requirements when transitioning to adult services need to be considered. This section considers specific services and support, such as issues related to guardianship, accommodation, and social and healthcare needs.

Q21. Can you tell us about any specific services or supports that already work well for disabled young people or people with complex health needs leaving care?

Multi-agency collaboration

Two fifths of respondents answered Q21. Whilst not a specific example of services and support, several respondents emphasised the importance of multi-agency working, particularly between children’s disability services and adult social work teams. While some spoke highly of the collaboration between these services, others called for better partnership working to ensure the needs of disabled young people leaving care are met.

“We have worked to develop transitions guidance through close working relationships with adult care services and via regular care planning we utilise these relationships to identify support before they are ready to move on. Regular meetings are held to discuss children's care plans and to identify any challenges in moving on into adult services. There needs to be open and honest transparency in the difference in services provided by children’s vs adult services in order to manage the expectations of parents and/or carers.” – Stirling Council

Public sector support

Some respondents shared examples of public sector support and services including:

• North Ayrshire’s Transition Planning Group (TPG), a multi-agency forum that supports the transition journey for disabled young people from 14 to 18 years of age.
• Multiple councils described the work of their children’s disability service teams, a social work service for children affected by disability and their families or carers.
• East Lothian offers a Community Learning Disability Nursing Team.
• Lothian Centre for Inclusive Living
• Project SEARCH, a partnership programme working in different councils with private and third sector partners to provide employment and learning opportunities for disabled young people.

Third sector services

Third sector organisations which provide specialist support for young people leaving care who are disabled were also mentioned. Some respondents described the work of these services; others just listed names. These included:

• The Association for Real Change (ARC)
• Aberlour
• Scottish Autism Society
• Enable
• Sight Scotland
• Visualise
• Bridges Project
• Action for Children
• Shared Lives supports young people with disabilities in transitioning from foster care to Shared Lives, along with their carer, by providing accommodation, further support, and a network of other people with lived experience.
• In East Lothian, examples included Can Do, Beyond boundaries 16+, base camp in Prestonpans, Pennypit Special Needs Youth Group, STAND, Star Youth Club, Venturing Out and Zap group
• Glasgow Disability Alliance is working with Inclusion Scotland to learn about the specialist support provided by agencies for disabled young people leaving care.
• Barnardo’s Scotland runs a residential unit with placement of up to three years for children and young people aged between 16 to 21 with learning disabilities and autism called Caern Pentland Way.

Knowledge of services and support

Some individual respondents were unaware of the availability of any specific support or services for disabled young people transitioning from care. They highlighted the importance of developing standardised, comprehensive services to ensure disabled young people and those with complex health needs have their needs met during this time.

Transitions Frameworks

Two local authorities mentioned their use of The Principles of Good Transitions, a framework developed by The Association for Real Change (ARC), to guide the transition planning for disabled young people or young people with complex needs.

Q22. What improvements do you think could be made to ensure disabled young people leaving care have the support they need when they make the transition into adulthood?

Resourcing

Three fifths of respondents provided an answer to Q22. Several respondents highlighted the need for greater resourcing to improve support and services for disabled young people leaving care. Respondents noted that limited resources can affect the type of advice and support that agencies and key workers offer and, in some cases, young people are referred to services and support that they cannot access.

“High demand for services is a significant barrier to young people receiving the right help at the right time. A lack of a range of services meant that, despite staff promoting choice via self-directed support, young people were limited in which services could support them. Specialised supports required were not always available in the young person’s local area. This often led to poor connections between young people and their family supports.” - Care Inspectorate

Resourcing for local services in rural areas was mentioned by some respondents, who explained that this meant young disabled people leaving care needed to move far from their existing networks and family to access support.

Collaboration during the transition

Several respondents described the importance of collaborative working between agencies, particularly in child and adult social care. Ensuring that teams are connected during transitions, with the young person directed to the most appropriate adult care service was mentioned. For example, West Lothian Council highlighted that if a disabled young person leaving care moves to a new area, they may lose access to their whole professional team. They suggested that the new team become involved earlier to support the transition. Other organisations spoke specifically of Adult Disability teams fostering stronger collaboration with local authorities. A single respondent also emphasised the importance of parents and carers working with services during the transition and attending meetings.

“Use the learning from the Principles into Practice pilot sites and consider how this can be rolled out. This needs to be a joint health, children's and adult piece of work. Consider the work already underway through the Transitions Strategy - and ensure joined-up policy and practice.” – Social Work Scotland

Transition plan

The requirement for a clear and integrated transition plan was mentioned by several respondents as a way to ensure young people’s needs are met during the transition process. Within these comments, some emphasised the importance of person-centred care and support and how the individual needs of the young person need to be considered thoroughly when designing any transition plan. Respondents noted that planning for young disabled people leaving care might be more complicated and time-intensive. Suggestions on how to make the process more streamlined included progressing guardianships and having a single key worker or transition coordinator.

Better signposting

Some respondents emphasised the importance of providing accessible and clear information for young people, family members and carers as they navigate transitions within and from services. Some called for independent advocacy to be provided, arguing this would reduce any confusion caused by contrasting information provided by different groups.

Accommodation

Ensuring that accommodation meets young people’s needs and that accommodation is located in the same Health Board area as the home they are leaving was mentioned by some. Respondents suggested improving access to housing and resources for young people leaving care who may need longer-term support.

More inclusive services

A small number of respondents mentioned the importance of improving access to all types of resources available to young people leaving care. One individual suggested ensuring resources considered the needs of those with invisible disabilities. Another noted that some recreation spaces for those with care experience have physical and social barriers for some disabled young people.

Support for people leaving care who are parents

This section looks at the experiences of people with care experience who are parents or about to become parents. Parents with care experience may face stigma at the early stages of their parenting journey and perceived structural discrimination can compound the challenges that some parents may face as a consequence of their experience of care.

Q23. What improvements can you suggest in the support provided to young people with care experience as they prepare to give birth or become parents?

Individualised support and assistance with stigma and discrimination

Half of the consultation respondents answered Q23. Several respondents reiterated comments about the need for flexible and person-centred care that meets the unique needs of each young person. Respondents often mentioned that young people with care experience preparing to become parents might face institutional and social stigma and discrimination, and individualised support to assist with this was needed. Respondents suggested that ‘booking-in’ questions at a Midwife or Family Nurse appointment be more considerate of the experiences of those with care experience, and that care provided considers the trauma individuals may face going through the pregnancy, birthing and early parenting stages.

Aberdeen City Council noted that often young people with care experience becoming parents feared their child could be taken from them. More time for midwives, health visitors and family nurses to understand the experiences of care experienced parents and to explain procedures could help alleviate this fear. Who Cares? Scotland believed that the ‘Best Start: five-year plan for maternity and neonatal care’ must be amended to recognise parents with care experience, to promote a greater understanding of care experience and how additional support may be offered.

“Develop a more compassionate approach to supporting care-experienced young parents, considering their unique vulnerabilities and needs.” - Dumfries & Galloway Council

Shared Lives also noted that their services were only occasionally used in perinatal care throughout Scotland, but had the potential to grow.

Specialised or extended perinatal support

Some respondents called for improvements to perinatal support for young people with care experience as they prepare to give birth or become parents. Suggested improvements included specialised support for those with care experience, more antenatal and perinatal classes, greater perinatal mental health support and engaging a team of midwives or health visitors with lived experience. Others suggested peer-led or mentoring schemes as a way to provide targeted and trusted support.

Some respondents argued that services need more resources to enable them to provide more time to help young people leaving care who are parents. Attendees at the engagement event for practitioners held by CELCIS noted that while there was some support for mothers, there were few programmes for young fathers with care experience.

Continuity of care

Several respondents stressed the need for consistent support for young people with care experience who are preparing to give birth or become a parent. Some suggested that there should be a key worker or known person who provides continuity of care throughout the process, emphasising the need for sensitive and non-judgemental support for parents with experience of care.

Trauma-informed training

The importance of providing staff training on care experience and working in a trauma-informed way was mentioned by some respondents. This is covered in more depth in the analysis of responses to Q24.

Financial assistance and grants

Some respondents emphasised the financial needs of young people with care experience who become parents. They called for assistance to replicate the support that new parents may receive from family, such as access to childcare, financial support for respite or a cleaner, Best Start Grants and Best Start Food Grants, help with transportation, and funds for baby supplies and clothing.

Less mentioned themes

A small number of respondents mentioned the following themes, listed here from most to least mentioned:

• Skills training; spanning general parenting skills, financial literacy and budgeting, sexual health, and relationships.
• Accommodation appropriate for the parent and family, including greater choice and a higher standard of housing offered.
• Further research about parents’ experiences, particularly understanding how often children are removed from parents with care experience.

“Further research must take place to understand the frequency of children being removed from Care Experienced parents in Scotland, as has been undertaken by researchers in Wales. This should build on the recent ‘Born into care in Scotland’ study commissioned by the Scottish Government, to understand the scale of the issue and if systemic discrimination is taking place.” – Who Cares? Scotland

Good practice

Parenting across Scotland provided an example of a service that works well to provide relationship-based support to parents with care experience.

“One good example of a relationship-based support network is ‘The Village’ which was created following the learning from the Parent and Child group at The Why Not? Trust. ‘The Village’ is an online community for new parents and parents to be with experience of care and acts as a place to get information, access resources and reach out to others. The community was built in response to parents of care experience stating they often felt stigma or judgement when reaching out for help.” – Parenting across Scotland

Q24. How can the workforce be better supported to help care experienced people as they become parents?

Trauma-informed training

Less than half of respondents answered Q24. A common theme was the importance of training in trauma-informed approaches, to support the workforce to provide the assistance needed by people with care experience as they become parents. These respondents suggested trauma-informed training resources within the public sector would help practitioners understand issues with trust, and the fear and stress involved with becoming a parent. Training for antenatal care staff would enhance their capacity to provide compassionate and reflective care to support new parents with attachment and nurturing approaches if needed. It would also help ensure antenatal care staff use non-stigmatising language and be non-judgemental.

“Teach them that care doesn't mean criminal. Just because a young person was in care that doesn't mean they are a criminal.” - Individual

Specialist support

Some respondents reiterated the importance of providing specialist care, either from specialist providers such as those with lived experience, or through spending more time and resources on care experienced individuals becoming parents.

Others noted the importance of considering the baby’s wellbeing and balancing any risks for the child with support for the parents. Suggestions to assist staff included separating the care for child and parents between different staff members.

“It is difficult to balance the risks for children with the support for the parents. If the risks are too high, then involvement in child protection procedures can become difficult especially if the care experienced young parents have had a negative experience of care themselves. The balance of needs can be helped by having clear expectations. Support staff for the parents separate to the child, having an understanding of their communication needs to ensure that they understand what is being said and ensuring that any barriers are removed from seeking support.” - Perth and Kinross Council

Collaboration

As highlighted in other questions, a small number of respondents spoke about the importance of moving away from siloed working to benefit care experienced young people and any staff who support them. Respondents also suggested they learn from one another and that agencies pass on relevant information to any new carers support teams.

“Use and role of genograms and understanding of family scripting and cyclical vulnerabilities.” - Aberdeen City Council

Q25. How can children’s and adults’ services better work together to provide whole family support for parents who are care experienced?

Clear communication

Just under half of the consultation respondents answered Q25. Some respondents highlighted that clear and consistent communication is needed to ensure that children’s and adult services work better together on behalf of parents with care experience. Respondents emphasised the importance of systems working together, including creating a clear plan and meeting regularly as a team to ensure all staff members know their role in supporting a young person with care experience, and their child.

“Establish regular communication channels between children’s and adults’ services to share information and updates on the families they support. Maintain appropriate information-sharing processes and protocols that facilitate collaboration while protecting confidentiality. Implement feedback mechanisms that allow families to share their experiences and suggest improvements in service coordination.” - Dumfries & Galloway Council

The need for clear guidance around working together so that roles and responsibilities are fulfilled, and services understanding how they can complement one another was stressed.

Flexible, family-led planning

Some respondents recommended that young people be included in all care planning to ensure children’s and adults’ services have the same information and plan when considering the needs of each family. Other respondents referred to the importance of a ‘whole family approach’ and providing ‘whole family wellbeing support’. A few mentioned the benefit of integrated service models to create a joined-up approach to supporting families as a whole.

“In the absence of a community-based social work model, which would be ideal, children’s and adult’s services need to have flexible criteria, ensuring that the service most appropriate to the young person’s needs offers the right support at the right time, e.g., where there is an existing relationship in children’s services, this should be used to bridge the young person into adult services with joint visits and meetings where appropriate for as long as is needed.” - Scottish Association of Social Work

CELCIS suggested that there be a “Corporate Grandparenting” role much like the Scottish system of Corporate Parenting.

“This would support organisations across children and adult services to work together to address the needs of both care experienced parent and baby with adequate housing, financial support, social isolation, access to childcare and mental health support.” - CELCIS, the Centre for Excellence for Children's Care and Protection

Integrated systems and processes

The importance of compatible data systems was mentioned by a few respondents. They noted that adult and children’s services often have different processes, recording systems and eligibility criteria, which are difficult to merge. One respondent urged standardisation between systems to ensure young people and families with care experience receive the support they need.

Other themes

Two or fewer respondents mentioned the following themes:

• Shetland Islands Council and South Lanarkshire Council called for support services to help ensure positive outcomes for the family in the longer term. This included assistance with parenting in the early years and financial assistance.
• Parenting across Scotland advocated for the use of a hub model, centring the support needed by parents into one location and providing a known place for parents to receive support and advice. This point was also reflected in notes from engagement events.
• The British Psychological Society noted the importance of promoting the establishment of relationships between young parents with care experience and their children and understanding how potential restrictions around access between the parent and child can impact on parents’ mental health.
• One individual recommended providing support groups in community spaces.