Outlines and informs about continuing care
A new information resource will help inform care experienced young people about continuing care.
CELCIS, the Care Inspectorate and Clan Childlaw have produced the resource which is designed to also help carers and the professionals responsible for their care, to understand their duties to provide continuing care.
In Scotland, Continuing Care is a policy and legal right which means that all children living with foster carers, kinship carers or in residential care on or after their 16th birthday are entitled to stay living in the same place with their same carers up until their 21st birthday.
All young people living in care have a right to know about and understand their right to continuing care.
Despite local authorities statutory duties and young people’s rights to continuing care, recent research shows that there can be a reticence and a lack of early conversations to discuss with young people in care what care and support they might want as they grow from childhood into adulthood through their teenage years.
Each year, hundreds of young people may become newly eligible for continuing care support, and we know that not all will be aware of their rights and entitlements.
Speaking about the new information materials, Joanne McMeeking, Head of Improving Care Experiences at CELCIS, said: “We are delighted to be publishing this new national information. The creation of the project has been an exciting one to be part of and the contribution of everyone has been invaluable: these materials are designed for young people by young people with their own experiences of care.
"For young people, continuing care should mean less, not more change and working to avoid rupturing the established, trusted, and loving relationships young people have with their carers. Continuing care can provide consistency, predictability, and appropriate support as a young person develops and grows into adulthood.
"We hope these accessible materials can be used to start early conversations between young people and those who care for them. It is vitally important that young people are supported to think through their options, are given time, and are able to discuss these with someone they trust.”
