Aberlour Response to Developing a Universal Definition of Care Experience Consultation

At Aberlour we have a deep understanding of the importance of Scotland Keeping the Promise by 2030. We provide safe, loving and supportive services across Scotland for children and young people who often face complex challenges. These include residential children’s houses, mother and child recovery houses and many other services, working right across the spectrum from early intervention and prevention to supporting children and young people in and on the edges of care. Applying a rights-based approach, we are committed to raising awareness of the needs of intersectional groups within the care-experience community and supporting them to access their rights. 

We work together with other partners to beat poverty, disadvantage and discrimination. Giving children an equal chance and the best possible start in life is at the heart of everything we do. This is all a part of our defining mission: “to be brave for our children and young people.” To that end, we urge the Scottish Government to do the same. 

Throughout our consultation response, we have amplified the voices of our children, young people and families. We advocate for reform to Scotland’s care system and for the full implementation of the Independent Care Review recommendations to ensure that any child, young person or adult who has care experience has the lifelong support they deserve. Any proposed universal definition needs to get it right for every person Scotland who has had experience of care as a child or young person.

We have responded to this consultation in full, as we recognise the impact a universal definition of care experience could have on our children and young people - all whom have unique journeys and experiences of care that needs to be considered and understood. We also recognise the power language has in the care system and the need to make sure that language is right consistently. Our response highlights the experiences of children and young people who are: unaccompanied asylum-seekers; affected by disability; and care experienced children in informal care. We believe it is important to highlight the needs and experiences of these particular groups of children and young people in any consideration of a universal definition of care experience. 

Read our response to the Scottish Government's consultation on developing a universal definition of care experience.