Scottish Care Leavers Covenant: Closing the Implementation Gap Between Policy & Practice

In Scotland, like many other countries, outcomes for young people ageing out of public care remain disproportionately poor across a range of measures compared to the general population. Research by CELCIS in 2014 informs that... [ view full abstract ]

In Scotland, like many other countries, outcomes for young people ageing out of public care remain disproportionately poor across a range of measures compared to the general population. Research by CELCIS in 2014 informs that despite research knowledge, policy, guidance and legislative drivers, Aftercare support for care leavers in Scotland remains variable and inconsistent. Recent legislation in Scotland has acknowledged the ongoing bureaucratic, structural and cultural barriers which impact on young people leaving care, with increased attention paid to the age at which young people transition out of care placements and their ongoing support needs into adulthood.

The ‘Scottish Care Leavers Covenant’ is the product of an ‘Alliance’ of over 30 national organisations, and aims to close the implementation gap between policy and practice for care leavers into adulthood. Led by CELCIS and launched in October 2015, it is designed to support Scotland’s Corporate Parents to address inconsistencies in practice and close the outcomes gap.

Informed by research evidence, existing good practice, practitioner experience and importantly the voices and views young people, the Covenant promotes an ‘Agenda’ that offers key agencies a range of practical actions to improve practice across a number of critical policy areas.

This workshop offers participants the opportunity to learn about recent legislative and policy changes in Scotland, the development of the Covenant and the Agenda for Change, highlighting the importance of cross-sector, multi-agency collaboration. The session will reference the challenges of implementing policy for young people ageing out of public care, drawing on the ongoing and developing learning available from the Scottish experience. It will include overview presentation, opportunity for discussion, and plenary feedback. Engaging participants in this way will enable them to consider how they may develop a similar approach within their own locale, and to share this learning across policy themes and settings.