'Getting it right for looked after children and young people' strategy

A Scottish Government strategy setting out their priorities for improving the lives of looked-after children and young people, which "has relationships at its heart".

The Scottish Government's vision is to be the best place in the world to grow up, for looked-after children this means:

  • engaging early to prevent children becoming looked after;
  • securing early permanence as soon as possible;
  • improving the wellbeing of looked-after children by narrowing the gap in outcomes between them and other children, building relationships and providing high-quality care;
  • providing high-quality care, support and relationships to care leavers; and
  • doing everything in a way that reflects the rights, needs, best interests and views of each child.

This narrowed down to three 'strategic priorities':

  • Early engagement
  • Early permanence
  • Improving the quality of care

Read it in full

Scottish Care Leavers Covenant

An 'alliance' of stakeholders, including Staf, came together to produce the Covenant to support corporate parents to improve the lives of care leavers.

The Covenant called on corporate parents to 'promise to act' to 'improve consistency of practice and provision' across Scotland.

The key policy themes the Covenant covers are: health and wellbeing, housing and accommodation, education and training, employment, youth and criminal justice, rights and participation.

The Covenant also rests on three 'foundation stones': graduated and extended transitions; staying put and continuing care; and relationship-based practice.

For each of the policy themes, the report sets out the key actions required to deliver on the principles set out.

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Guidance on Part 10 (Aftercare) of the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014

Sets out how local authorities can fulfil their duties regarding Aftercare under Section 29 of the 1995 Act (as amended by the 2014 Act).

This guidance is underpinned by the principles set out in 'Staying Put' (2013).

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Guidance on Part 9 (Corporate Parenting) of the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014

Sets out detailed guidance for corporate parents on their responsibilities and duties under the 2014 Act.

Read it in full