Scottish Government national policy for supporting care-experienced people began with the Independent Care Review (2017), followed by The Promise (2020). Proposed new legislation, the Children (Care, Care Experience and Services Planning) (Scotland) Bill which supports implementation of some aspects of The Promise, was introduced to the Scottish Parliament in June 2025.
Part of the focus for supporting care experienced children and young people in school education is to take a whole school community approach. This means training for staff in the first instance to ensure a compassionate and supportive school environment. Raising awareness with children, young people and parents/carers about the impacts of experiencing care is also important.
Who Cares? Scotland is the independent organisation for care-experienced people, offering information, resources and support. Who Cares? Scotland provides advocacy workers, a helpline (0330 107 7540 or help@whocaresscotland.org), Communities That Care training for school staff and training for workplaces. A Curriculum Resource Pack is being prepared to enable teaching staff to deliver planned lessons about care experience. Read Who Cares? Scotland's Strategic Plan for more information on the organisation's work and campaigns.
Parent Councils and parent groups have a role to play in this, by making sure their events and activities are inclusive and respectful of different children and young people's home contexts. Awareness and understanding are crucial to enabling care experienced children and young people to be heard and to have their needs met.
Enquire, Scotland's national agency for additional support for learning advice and information, now has a dedicated resource, Navigate, for those working with care experienced children and young people in education.