Children’s charity says care system must evolve

A CHILDREN’S charity has said Scotland’s care system must “evolve” in a new report one year on from the announcement of an independent review into the sector.

Action for Children has urged the review group to consider four key demands raised by those being looked after in a report based on the views of nearly 500 young people in care in Scotland.

These include finding out where funding and resources can be better invested to provide support, identifying what impact existing strategies have had on those in care and defining what “living independently” means in practice for people in care.

Among the issues raised by the 471 children and young people who responded in the report include a call to not separate siblings, to have one social worker supporting them throughout and to be given equal opportunities in life as children brought up by their parents.

Praise was also given in some areas with one person highlighting having regular one-to-one meetings and outings such as going to the football or swimming with others saying they found carers supportive and had positive relationships.

The review, announced by Nicola Sturgeon at last year’s SNP autumn conference, held its first meeting in June .

Paul Carberry, director of Action for Children in Scotland, said: “Care experienced young people have told us repeatedly what needs to change.

“The care system must evolve, in design and practice, with what young people, professionals and carers who live and work in it believe is needed.”