Welcome Shilla Zwizwai Ambassador Who Cares? Scotland

Today Who Cares? Scotland: Who we are and what we do. Looked After Children and Young People: My experience and others Corporate Parenting: How can it change our lives?

Who We Are

Looked After Children and Young People 16, 041 people in care. No more than 0.5% of Scotland’s population. (Scottish Government, 2014)

Background

Before Care I was born and raised in Zimbabwe. I moved to Scotland at the age of 13. Lived with my aunt & uncle. Passed 8 Credit Standard Grades. Took on 5 Higher subjects. My expected results were As & Bs.

The Move My behaviour suddenly changed in school. My guidance teacher noticed the change and reached out to me. I was eventually introduced to social services and taken into residential care. On the day of the move, I had to pack my clothes in bin bags. Spent the day in my social worker’s office waiting for her to find me a new home.

High School Undertook 5 Highers – Physics, Chemistry, Maths, English & Geography. Passed English but failed all other Highers. The travel distance between school and home had increased immensely. I was told that the residential children’s home was a “temporary” accommodation. I was too old to be there and I would get moved once a new accommodation became available.

After Care Moved into my own accommodation at 19. Worked full time in call centres for 2 years. Went back to college after realising that the only way I could create a better future for myself was through education. Received an offer for an NC course in Criminology & Social Sciences. Through care team paid my rent during my NC course. Struggled with applying for Discretionary funds as I couldn’t provide some of the requested documents. Completed the course and a Grade A result.

Turning 21 Letter from social. The end of through care support.

The result of that letter Rent Arrears. Notice of proceedings. Couldn’t even afford a Zone card into college.

What followed? I was offered an UNCONDITIONAL offer for an HND course in Legal Services. My employer at the time asked me to pick between full time work and pursuing my education. I left work and started my course at City of Glasgow College.

Who Cares? Scotland Speaking to Jim Murphy & Ian Gray about the support Care Experienced Young people require from their Corporate Parents (Education). Education Campaign

Future Plans Completing HND course and moving onto an LLB Law course at University. Continuing work with WhoCares?Scotland and promoting Education. For most Care experienced Young People – Education is the ONLY aspect of their lives that is within their control.

They can be looked after at home or away from home Looked After Children and Young People

Are there different types of state care?

Becoming Looked After in Scotland 90% Care & Protection 10% Offence

Educational Outcomes

Post-Education and Employment Looked after Children Non-Looked after Children 79% left aged 16 and under 82% initially in a positive destination 74% in a positive destination after 9months 30% left aged 16 and under 91% initially in a positive destination 90% in a positive destination after 9 months

Learning and teachingResearch and innovation SFC allocates about £1.6bn in public funds to Scotland’s 19 universities and 25 colleges each year for: Student support funds (for college students) Skills development Widening access to further and higher education Other costs such as staff, buildings and equipment

Educational Outcomes

Prison

Housing 30% of care leavers experience homelessness

Is the answer Corporate Parenting? A public bodies’ performance of actions necessary to promote and support the physical, emotional, spiritual, social and cognitive development of a looked after child or care leaver, from infancy through to adulthood. (From Draft Guidance on Part 9 of Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014)

24 Corporate Parents A health board A board constituted under the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978 Healthcare Improvement Scotland Scottish Qualifications Authority Skills Development Scotland Social Care & Social Work Improvement Scotland The Scottish Social Services Council Sport Scotland The Chief Constable of the Police Service of Scotland Scottish Police Authority Scottish Fire & Rescue Service The Scottish Legal Aid Board A local authority Scottish Ministers National Convener of Children's Hearings Scotland Children's Hearings Scotland Principal Reporter The Scottish Children’s Reporter Administration Scotland’s Commissioner for Children and Young People The Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland The Scottish Housing Regulator Bòrd na Gàidhlig Creative Scotland A “post-16” education body

Get in Touch! Shilla Zwizwai