National campaign calls for support from Highland to listen to kids in care

20th May 2013

The Highland Council has joined a national campaign to give a stronger voice to children and young people in care and leaving care by tackling discrimination head on. Six looked after children from the Highlands, aged 14-17, signed up to the campaign at the National Young Persons Conference in Edinburgh today (Tuesday).

There are over 16,000 children in care in Scotland. Research shows that almost half of children in care are afraid of prejudice or bullying or of being treated differently if people find out about their background. That’s why Who Cares Scotland is asking teachers, parents, health professionals, employers and families across all communities in the Highlands to show their support.

Who Cares? Scotland, supported by the Scottish Government and the Association of Director's of Social Work.

The campaign aims to dispel the myths about children in care, simply by getting people to pledge to listen to their side of the story, as chances are, they are quite different to what we think we know about these children. It is urging people to help by showing children and young people in care and who have left care that they deserve to be part of their community.

Councillor Alasdair Christie, Chair of The Highland Council’s Adult and Children Services Committee, said: “People in the Highlands can help by signing the campaign pledge2listen and help to hit the 25,000 target across the next five years. That’s roughly one signature for every looked after child and care leaver in Scotland right now.

“Children in and from care need to be understood better across every community in Scotland. That is why this campaign matters – as we need these children to be included and supported to be all they can be, in the way we would want for our own children. With the support of as many people as possible in the Highlands we believe this campaign will help end the discrimination of children in and from care, for good. It really is time that we stamped the stigma they face in their day-to-day lives, out.”

During the five year campaign Who Cares? Scotland will also be working in partnership with councils to involve young people in care in improving services for them, like good quality housing or an apprenticeship within the council.

More information on the campaign – “It’s time to listen” - is available at www.Pledge2listen.org.uk