As a coalition we were delighted to see extra support and greater rights for children and young people in care comes into force this week.
Following a long and hard campaign, which we were delighted to be involved in, all teenagers in residential, foster or kinship care who turn 16 will now be entitled to remain in their care setting until they reach the age of 21.
This is in addition to the Scottish Government’s commitment to provide support until reaching the age of 26 for care leavers, helping them move into independent living at a pace which suits them.
Such actions give these young people the stability and the continuing support of caring relationships at a key time in their lives, helping these young people when they need it most. It also demonstrates that Scotland really cares about some of the most vulnerable young people in our society, supporting them to lead happy and successful lives.
We would urge all these young people who can use these rights to do so and congratulate the Scottish Government and all political parties in delivering this transformational change in our care system.
Yours faithfully,
The Scottish Children’s Services Coalition:
Sophie Pilgrim, Director, Kindred Scotland
Tom McGhee, Managing Director, Spark of Genius
Duncan Dunlop, Chief Executive, Who Cares? Scotland
Stuart Jacob, Director, Falkland House School
Niall Kelly, Managing Director, Young Foundations
