The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
SNP MP breaks silence on ‘stain of shame’ of being in foster care
Politics: Chris Law opens up publicly for the first time about his experience in care
A Dundee MP has broken his silence on his “dirty little secret” of growing up in care.
Chris Law spoke publicly for the first time about his experience in a Fife care home, saying he had hidden it for years as “a stain of shame”.
The St Andrews graduate, who represents Dundee West for the SNP, held back tears as he told a Westminster debate about his childhood.
The adopted son was 10 when he his parents split and he stayed with his severely-disabled mother in poor housing.
He was given foster carer support before he moved into a care home in Fife, where he lived for more than a year.
Mr Law told the Commons: “I’ve never spoken about this publicly before because often it’s like an indelible mark, a stain of shame that we keep to ourselves.
“I find it difficult to speak about today, but I’m proud to be able to stand here today and not to be silent on the matter.
“And I speak for the many thousands out there who have yet to have their voices heard.”
Describing himself as “one of the lucky ones”, he said: “Sadly, we carry this dirty little secret.
“It has a profound impact on our relationships ... and life opportunities for the rest of our lives.”
He said he knew of others who were not as lucky as him, as he put on record how “truly thankful” he was to the carers who looked after him and “allowed me to call them by their first names” as uncles and aunties.
Mr Law was speaking in a debate in the Commons on foster care.
The issue is devolved but the Dundee West MP said the UK Government could learn from the “real progress” being made in Scotland.
Youngsters who have been in care across the UK have much worse life, education and job prospects than their peers.
In Scotland, a third (30%) of those who have been in care are classified as unemployed nine months after leaving school, compared with 8% of those who have not experienced care, according to 2016 figures.
The Scottish Government launched a root and branch review of the care system last year.
Speaking in the Commons the UK minister for school standards Nick Gibb said: “We are committed to ensuring that vulnerable children have access to the best possible care to help them to thrive and prepare them for adulthood.”