New co-chairs with experience of growing up in care are to work with professionals to help mould a better care system for Scotland
Ten people with experience of the care system will play a major role as co-chairs of the Independent Care Review.
The review seeks to deliver the world’s best care system for children and young people in Scotland.
Now at its third stage, known and the journey stage, the review will involve both care experienced people and professionals to better understand how to improve all aspects of the system.
Fiona Duncan, chair of the Independent Care Review, said: "The voice of people with care experience will always be at the centre of the work of the Independent Care Review, and I am absolutely delighted that the journey stage co-chairs have agreed to get involved and lend their considerable skills and knowledge.
“All co-chairs will be able to contribute valuable personal experience and a wealth of expertise that will be a huge asset to the Journey stage of the Independent Care Review.”
Jimmy Paul, joint head of the workforce group of the journey stage added: “The voices of infants, children and adults with care experience in Scotland must be heard at all levels of decision-making without fail.
“Having spent time in care, I know from personal experience what it feels like to have my needs made subordinate to the wants of the system, to feel unheard and to feel unclaimed.”
The full list of co-chairs is: Ashley Cameron, care experienced co-chair and researcher for Kezia Dugdale MSP; professor Nancy Loucks OBE, chief executive of Families Outside; Lisa Muirhead, care experienced co-chair, Life Changes Trust board member; James Docherty, development officer, Violence Reduction Unit; Sylvia Douglas, care experienced co-chair, founding director of MsMissMrs CIC; Ewan Aitken, chief executive officer of the Edinburgh Cyrenians; Beth-Anne Logan, care experienced co-chair and board member of Children’s Hearings Scotland; John Carnochan OBE, former detective chief superintendent and co-founder of the Violence Reduction Unit; Adam Bennett, care experienced co-chair and the Fostering Network young champion; Gerald McLaughlin, chief executive of NHS Health Scotland; Jimmy Paul, care experienced co-chair and permanence consultant at CELCIS; and Sue Brookes, former governor of Polmont Young Offenders’ Institution.
