A Positive Future For Looked After Children

Too many looked after children are disadvantaged. Too often they are denied opportunities for a stable home life and access to good health and education services. But, with the right support, looked after children can overcome childhood adversity and lead successful lives, particularly where they are supported by adults who believe in them and have the skills to help them. These are the key findings of the Social Work Inspection Agency’s (SWIA’s) Extraordinary Lives report, a review of services for looked after children in Scotland.

Around 200 young people and adults with first-hand experience of the care system were consulted during the review, which is part of SWIA’s programme of thematic inspections.

The report concludes that councils must improve how they act as ‘parents’ for looked after children. It says council chief executives should report annually to their council on what they have helped their looked after children achieve. It also says that all authorities should nominate an elected member to act as a champion for looked after children, as well as appointing a senior manager to co-ordinate the provision of these services throughout the authority.

SWIA’s Chief Inspector Alexis Jay said: “For too long, too many looked after children and young people have found themselves facing a lifetime of challenges. They experience many disadvantages and are often discriminated against, in all areas of their lives, including opportunities to access quality health and education services.

“Yet we know that looked after children can overcome these barriers and look forward to a successful future. The challenge is to make sure the best possible systems are in place to support these vulnerable youngsters and help them fulfil their potential.

“This report highlights what is working well and identifies areas where improvements are needed. It makes suggestions – for councils, health boards, voluntary organisations and the Executive – setting out how they can improve outcomes for looked after children. These provide a framework for change and development that will build successful futures for more of Scotland’s looked after children.”

The report’s five supporting documents include Celebrating Success – a study of what helps looked after children to be happy and succeed – which contains case studies from looked after children.

Among them is Luke, who spoke of the positive impact his foster carers have had on his life. He said: “I would class them as my substitute family, if you know what I mean. I would rather fall back on my foster carers than I would my own family.”

Alison lives in residential care, and spoke of the relationship she has with her carers. She said: “The people here have really helped me through a lot of things so I could begin to trust people again because I’ve been very disappointed in the past.”