Exploring the delivery, experience and impact of services when young people are planning to leave care and after they have moved on.

We have now completed a thematic review of the experiences of young people leaving care in Scotland and the extent to which their rights are upheld.  The review was started in April 2024 and a final report was published on the 5 November 2024.

In 2021, the A Way Home Coalition published  Youth Homeless Prevention Pathway: Improving Care Leavers Housing Pathways. This paper highlighted the need for equality in provision of aftercare services, the importance of pathway planning and of reducing risks and crises for young people in Scotland. The following recommendation was made:

The Scottish Government should work with the Care Inspectorate to develop and undertake robust thematic integrated reviews of ‘transition services’ involving key stakeholders and providers (such as housing and accommodation and further and higher education) and Aftercare engagement up to 26.

Purpose of the review 

The review focussed on the experiences of young people aged between 16 and 26 who are, or have been, formally looked after and accommodated in foster care or care homes for children and young people. We were committed to seeking the views of young people about how they felt their rights were being upheld. It was carried out under Section 53 of the Public Services Reform (Scotland) Act 2010.

The review aimed to establish the following:

  • The extent to which young people and their families are actively and meaningfully involved in all decisions about their continued care and have effective opportunities to influence service design and development.
  • The extent to which young people’s lives are improving through high quality assessment, planning and support which enables them to live in stable and suitable accommodation which is right for them.
  • How leaders ensure the effective delivery of services for young people who are either continuing to be cared for or are leaving care.

Although the statutory duties rest with the local authorities, the review took account of the roles of children’s services planning partners.

We have conducted the review in two phases.

Phase 1

  • was based on self-reported information (through a ‘national survey’) provided by leaders and staff with responsibility for corporate parenting, and the local champions’ boards (or equivalent) of all 32 local authorities. 
  • we undertook a literature review, including national research and publications, and additional published reports.
  • we gathered feedback from focus groups with scrutiny partners, a professional interest group and regulated care service inspectors.
  • we also took account of relevant national data. 

Phase 2

We offered children’s services partnerships in four local authority areas the opportunity to take part in phase two to support their development in this part of their work and help us better understand the experiences of young people in their area. Our intention was that these four areas would support our work in phase two which was made up of the following key elements:

  • a focused meeting with the lead professionals for five selected young people in each area: combining a case discussion with access to records.
  • individual meetings with the five young people
  • focus groups of senior leaders, champions boards and corporate parenting boards.
  • a review of relevant local documentation.

Reporting 

The thematic review concluded with the publication of a single national overview report, with individual feedback also given to each of the four participating areas.  While we were not evaluating partnerships on their performance, we have reported on what is working well across Scotland.  We have also reported on the current challenges for transition services; drawing on the perspectives of young people, families, and staff supporting care experienced young people.

The lead for this review was Jackie Deas, supported by Elena Mills, Strategic Support Officer.