after care

Report that gives the views of young people, mainly from among those who have left care, about their experience of care and leaving care. As well as looking at what young people have said, we have also tried to see whether they have been getting what the law says that they should be. This report should give an important insight into how well the care system is doing for children and young people, and how it prepares them for their own future, through the eyes of those leaving care for independent adult life.

This publication contains statistics on children who were looked after by or eligible for aftercare services from local authorities between 1 August 2009 and 31 July 2010.

On 25 March 2008, the Commissioner for Children and Young People in Scotland laid before the Scottish Parliament a report called Sweet 16? The Age of Leaving Care in Scotland. It was debated on 25 June 2008. The Scottish Government has responded positively to most of the report’s recommendations, which are attached as an appendix to this paper, together with a short summary of the full report. In January 2009, a feedback survey was circulated to local authorities to help identify progress on the issues raised in Sweet 16? and also what more needed to be done.

This episode of Radio 4's Woman's Hour series looks at what support is available for people released on appeal and why is it often less than if the accused had been found guilty. In December 2003 Angela Canning was cleared for murdering her two babies. This has led to the wholesale review of cases of parents and carers convicted of killing their babies over the last ten years. The Attorney General has already suggested that it might be appropriate for 24 cases to be considered for appeal.

As young people leave care they face a variety of challenges. Some meet and overcome these challenges, yet others struggle. This review found a gap in the literature on resilience among young people leaving care. It therefore draws upon research studies completed in the last twenty years which have captured the experiences, views and reflections of the young people themselves.

This document includes the draft Looked After Children (Scotland) Regulations 2008 and accompanying consultation document. It sets out the policy behind the draft Regulations and sought comments on a number of issues within the Regulations. The consultation period ran from 5 December 2007 to 14 March 2008.

Bulletin looking at the quality of throughcare and aftercare services in place for children and young people looked after away from home in residential services in Scotland and how these can be improved.

Document produced jointly by a number of children's organisations making a series of recommendations for the improvement of children's services throughout Scotland.

The regulations and guidance for local authorities on the services - advice, guidance and assistance - they must provide for young people who are ceasing to be looked after.

The University of York was commissioned by the Scottish Executive to undertake a two-year study of the way local authorities are discharging their duties and powers under the Children (Scotland) Act 1995 to promote throughcare and aftercare for looked after young people. This final report is based on the findings of data from the national postal survey of thirty-one Scottish local authorities and other agencies involved in the provision of throughcare and aftercare.