Vision statement nine: “Young adults for whom Scotland has taken on parenting responsibility must have a right to return to care and have access to services and supportive people to nurture them.
Experience by vision statement 9: Aftercare
What young people say
This section presents the evidence through an experience lens, focusing on what aftercare has felt like for care experienced young people using the included materials since 2020. Click on the take me to navigation pane and jump to different sections here, including sources.
Across materials reviewed, moving into adulthood was described as a complex and emotional transition, marked by both significant challenges and moments of hope. There were reports of young people feeling unprepared for adult responsibilities, reporting that they were rushed into independence without adequate planning or involvement in decisions. These experiences underscore the need for proactive planning, clear communication, and consistent support to prevent young people from ‘falling through the cracks’. Trusted relationships with supportive adults, advocacy, and practical help, such as financial guidance and life skills training, created a sense of security and confidence. Continuity of support and collaborative working among professionals strengthen resilience, enabling care experienced young people to approach independence with optimism. When support networks remain consistent and responsive, and when young people are empowered to make choices about their future, the transition can become a positive and empowering experience.
To see what changes Scotland is making and still has to make for the promise to be kept, click on the moving on and lifelong support route map in Plan 24-30. See more about the work of change across Scotland here.
- I'm expected to be an adult before I’m ready.
- I’m not involved in planning for my future.
- All the responsibilities come at once.
- I don’t know what’s coming next.
- I am not supported to learn the skills that I need to live on my own.
Young people found themselves disorientated when they abruptly found themselves facing the complexities of independent living without adequate preparation or involvement in decision making. There are accounts of young people feeling they do not have the same support that their peers get from the adults in their lives. This was often due to complicated systems of support that are difficult to access, have different criteria and aren’t organised to meet their needs. The prospect of managing practical tasks and navigating adult responsibilities can cause anxiety, especially when support leading up to this feels insufficient. A lack of early planning and a sense of being rushed into adulthood contribute to a feeling of being overwhelmed and uncertain about the future.
- I’m living in an area that doesn’t feel safe.
- I’m isolated from other people.
- I don’t have anyone to turn to.
- I don’t have the same access to support as when I was younger.
- I can’t keep in touch with people who are important to me when I move.
- I worry about what will happen to me.
- I worry about how I will manage money in my own home.
Young people described feeling a sense of cumulative vulnerability building up when stable housing, supportive relationships and reliable help are not in place. Feeling unsafe was linked not only to where they lived, but to being alone with fear, uncertainty and responsibility. Moving away from familiar people and losing access to support that had previously been available could intensify isolation, particularly when money worries and practical pressures were high and there was no steady adult checking in or helping them find their way through problems.
- People listen to my views.
- I have a say in what happens to me.
- I can choose when I move, rather than other people choosing for me.
- I have someone I can trust.
- People understand what I’ve been through.
- I have someone to speak up for me and explain things to me.
Support is described as stronger when young people are treated as partners in decisions, rather than being moved through plans made by others. Having their voices centred in decisions, receiving personalised support, and building trusting relationships with supportive adults significantly enhanced the experiences of young people. The ability to access help when they need it, feeling that the people around understand what being care experienced means and what support could be needed, fosters a sense of empowerment and resilience. These elements contribute to a more positive and hopeful transition, where young people feel valued and capable of navigating the challenges ahead.
- I’m not getting the support I need.
- I’m confused about what support I can access and where to find it.
- No one seems to understand my problems.
- I feel like I’m falling behind.
- It feels like I’m all alone.
- I get anxious about my future.
- I don’t understand what my rights are or what I’m entitled to.
- People don’t listen when I say what support I need.
The evidence describes how transitions can be particularly challenging for care experienced young people, especially when they feel a lack of support and understanding from those around them. Feelings of inadequacy and isolation can intensify when there hasn’t been the right help and support before navigating the complexities of adult living. Young people spoke of isolation, loss of support, and pressure to meet expectations before they are ready. The absence of consistent, tailored support in education settings, career pathways and living independently can lead to worries and withdrawal.
- I am supported to develop life skills that help me living independently.
- I have some who advocates for me and explains what my rights and entitlements are.
- I have financial support and help to manage my money.
- I am not treated differently in a negative way because I am care experienced.
- I know there's someone checking in on me, even if I haven't been in touch.
- I have someone to help me make appointments and navigate complicated systems.
- The people who support me work together and support me in all the ways I need.
Some young people spoke of positive experiences with tailored help and strong relationships, but many encountered challenges such as inadequate planning, unstable housing, financial strain, and difficulties accessing crucial services, especially mental health support, leading to feelings of isolation and uncertainty about the future. Where young people felt stigmatised because of care experience, hope was harder to hold on to; where they felt treated fairly and checked in on, hope was more likely to grow.
What this tells Scotland
This section draws together what the evidence shows about how changes in care and support are felt by care experienced young people, and how these experiences shape safety, stability, trust and hope. It is intended to be informative, helping to show why these experiences matter and why they should inform what happens next. The focus is on naming impact and consequence as described in the evidence, drawing attention to patterns that remain unresolved and where continued attention is needed.
Young people experience anxiety and distress when expectations increase quickly without clear planning, explanation or involvement. Being pushed to manage adult responsibilities before feeling ready undermines confidence and leaves young people unsure about what will happen next.
Confusion about what support is available, who it is for and how to access it contributes to ongoing worry. When rights and entitlements are unclear or applied inconsistently, young people can feel powerless and isolated, unsure where to turn even when needs are high.
Feeling unsafe is shaped not only by housing, but by the loss of trusted people. When young people move away from familiar relationships and support drops away, financial pressure and isolation can intensify feelings of vulnerability.
Abrupt reductions or endings of support are experienced as abandonment. When relationships end without preparation or explanation, young people describe greater exposure to harm and a higher risk of falling through gaps during periods of change.
When young people are listened to and involved in decisions, they feel steadier and more able to cope with transition. Clear explanations and advocacy help young people understand what is happening and build trust in the adults around them.
Everyday practical support, including help with skills, money and navigating systems, plays a key role in reducing stress. This support helps young people manage independence and sustain hope about the future.
Being treated differently because of care experience undermines trust and self-belief. Where stigma is present, optimism is harder to sustain. Where young people feel respected and not judged, hope is more likely to grow.
Sources Referenced
The purpose of the below citations and summaries is to ensure that sources used are clear and accessible. Web links to the sources are provided, where possible.
Document summaries are provided for any document where analysis produced more than ten ‘coded segments’. ‘Coded segments’ refer to portions of a document that analysts identified and labelled as relevant to the key themes for each Vision Statement.
All documents that have informed the development of the Vision Statement, even if they had fewer than 10 coded segments, are cited in the ‘Additional Sources’ box below.
This Care Inspectorate report looks at how children and young people are cared for in secure care and what needs to improve to ensure their rights are respected, including whether new rules made by the Scottish Government are helping young people and staff.
Approximately 200 people participated in the study, including young people, family members, professionals and Local Authority representatives. The journeys of 30 young people were also tracked over a one-year period.
The Care Inspectorate found that progress has been made in meeting the aims of the secure care Pathway and Standards, but significant gaps remain across the full journey into, through and out of secure care. The new rules have had the strongest impact for those in secure care, where most young people experienced improved safety, felt listened to, had their rights upheld, and benefited from specialist support and education. Some positive preventative effects were noted—where intensive, relationship-based community support and clear risk-planning processes helped prevent admission.
However, the greatest weaknesses were found after young people leave secure care. Many experienced a sharp drop in support, struggled to access health and wellbeing services, lost educational progress, and faced homelessness or serious safety risks, leading to re-admissions. Ongoing problems included unequal access to community resources, inconsistent understanding of secure care’s therapeutic purpose, lack of stable relationships, and variation in restrictive practices.
Secure Care Pathway Review. Care Inspectorate, 2023. https://www.careinspectorate.com/images/documents/7293/Secure%20care%20pathway%20review%202023.pdf.
This report was published in November 2024 by the Care Inspectorate. It was requested by the Scottish Government in response to recommendations from the 'Youth Homeless Prevention Pathway' (2019) and 'CELCIS Continuing Care' (2022) reports. The purpose was to examine the experiences of young people in and leaving care in Scotland, focusing on how their rights are upheld, particularly for those aged 16-26.
The review found that most young people had positive relationships with trusted staff and felt supported. A culture of rights and trauma-informed practice was evident nationally and in the four participating areas of the study. Meaningful involvement of young people in service design led to innovative services.
Key findings highlighted that while young people's views were generally heard in individual planning, their influence on wider service design varied. The report stressed the importance of relationship-based practice and the personal qualities of support workers. Challenges included inconsistent approaches to keeping in touch with young people, difficulties in accessing suitable accommodation due to a national housing crisis, and the impact of multiple policy drivers and resource limitations on service delivery.
The review concluded that young people's rights are largely upheld, with strong commitment from corporate parents and knowledgeable staff. However, there is a need for better data collection to understand the impact of services from young people's perspectives. Future practice considerations include addressing housing shortages, improving communication with young people, clarifying the definition of 'care experience,' and developing a cohesive learning framework for professionals.
Transitions for Care Experienced Young People: A Thematic Review. Care Inspectorate, 2024. https://www.careinspectorate.com/index.php/news/7820-transitions-for-care experienced-young-people-a-thematic-review.
This report was published by the Centre for Excellence for Children's Care and Protection (CELCIS), a leading improvement and innovation centre based at the University of Strathclyde.
The Scottish Government asked CELCIS to conduct this research to gather information to help them make decisions about how to best deliver children's services in Scotland. The main goal of the research was to answer: "What is needed to ensure that children, young people and families get the help they need, when they need it?".
This specific report is 'Strand 4' of a larger study and focuses on understanding the opportunities, challenges, and barriers faced by the children's services workforce. It explores their views on local services, how different agencies work together, support for young people moving into adult services, relationships between families and professionals, and the support available to the workforce itself. The report uses surveys, focus groups, and interviews to gather these perspectives.
Dr Alex McTier, Mihaela Manole, Jane Scott, et al. Children’s Services Reform Research: Scotland’s Children’s Services Landscape: The Views and Experiences of the Children’s Services Workforce. CELCIS, 2023. https://www.celcis.org/knowledge-bank/search-bank/childrens-services-reform-research-scotlands-childrens-services-landscape-views-and-experiences-childrens-services-workforce.
This report, published by the Centre for Excellence for Children’s Care and Protection (CELCIS) and the University of Edinburgh in January 2021, explores how the digital divide affects the rights of care leavers in Scotland. The research aimed to understand care leavers' experiences with digital exclusion both before and during the COVID-19 restrictions in 2020.
The study highlights that access to technology and the internet is crucial for care leavers, especially during the pandemic, for staying connected, accessing support, and fulfilling basic rights like education, health, and social security. Many care leavers reported increased technology use during COVID-19, finding it essential for work, study, and social interaction. However, a significant number faced challenges such as lack of hardware, unstable internet, and limited digital skills, leading to negative impacts on their mental wellbeing.
The report identifies poverty and financial insecurity as major barriers to digital inclusion for care leavers, who often lack the financial safety nets of their peers. Access to technology was frequently dependent on social or institutional connections rather than being a fundamental right. The authors recommend that digital access be integrated into care leavers' support plans, ensuring they receive necessary equipment, affordable internet, and skills training. They also call for corporate parents (local authorities) to recognise their responsibility in preparing young people for the digital world and for more research into the digital experiences of Scottish care leavers.
Roesch-Marsh, A, K McGhee, and F Gillon. The Digital Divide: The Impact on the Rights of Care Leavers in Scotland. 2021. https://www.celcis.org/application/files/5516/1158/7905/The_digital_divide_The_impact_on_the_rights_of_care_leavers_in_Scotland_Inform.pdf.
This report looks at the mental health experiences of young people in Glasgow who have been in care. It was written by Social Marketing Gateway for Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership, working with PAC (People Achieving Change), a group of care experienced young people. The aim was to listen to young people and understand what helps or prevents them from getting the right mental health support.
Young people said the COVID-19 pandemic had a strong negative effect on their mental health. Many felt anxious, stressed and lonely due to changes in routine, less contact with friends, and reduced support from adults and services. These challenges made existing mental health problems worse.
The young people recommended having specialist mental health workers for care experienced young people, regular mental health check-ups, quicker and more flexible access to support, better trained staff, stronger help during transitions, and more face-to-face contact.
Social Marketing Gateway (SMG). Glasgow People Achieving Change (PAC) Mental Health Research: Final Report February 2022. Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership (GCHSCP), 2022. https://glasgowcity.hscp.scot/publication/glasgow-pac-mental-health-research-2022.
100 Days of Listening was published by Staf (Scottish Throughcare and Aftercare Forum) and The Promise Scotland. It summarises what was heard from care experienced people, family members, and members of the workforce, between 23 October 2023 and 29 February 2024. The purpose was to understand the experiences, hopes, and aspirations of people across Scotland who are moving on from care.
The team heard from 365 people from 24 local authority areas through discussions and surveys. A significant finding was that the inconsistency of care, resources, and staff support across Scotland, was leading to young people feeling isolated and vulnerable.
Four main cross-cutting themes emerged: systems and services, housing, finance, and practical support/life skills. It was highlighted that a lack of future planning, and the use of age-based criteria causes "cliff edges" in support, and difficulties in accessing suitable housing. Financial struggles and a lack of money management skills were also noted by people with care experience and the workforce. The report stresses the importance of trusted relationships and the need for equitable, needs-led support.
There is an urgent need for Scotland to provide fair support for young people leaving care. This transition is crucial, requiring better resources and collaboration with young people to ensure their move is planned, respectful, and meets their individual needs. The information gathered will inform the next phase of the 'Moving On' Change Programme, which involves creating "tests of change" to develop shared standards and principles for a national strategy.
100 Days of Listening. Scottish Throughcare and Aftercare Forum (Staf), 2024. https://www.staf.scot/Handlers/Download.ashx?IDMF=36c14562-d65a-4866-b6bf-685d0462974b.
Who Cares? Scotland—a national independent membership organisation for care experienced people, dedicated to supporting, empowering and amplifying the voices of Scotland’s care community—provided targeted analysis of their existing evidence for The Promise Story of Progress, sharing material that mapped to the relevant vision statements and contributed insight into how their internal data, participation activity, and qualitative evidence could inform the experiential strand of the Promise Story of Progress.
Their reports reflected advocacy work carried out between 1st January 2020 and 30th June 2025, during which time Who Cares? Scotland advocacy workers supported around 4,800 individuals. Although the report findings do not represent the experience of every care experienced individual in Scotland, they highlight issues that need continued attention as Scotland works to understand what is changing and what still needs to be addressed.
An anonymised and abridged collation of these reports is available at: Who Cares? Scotland. The Promise Story of Progress: Vision Statement advocacy reports by Who Cares? Scotland (abridged). The Promise Scotland, 2025. https://www.plan2430.scot/media/r0jiy2pl/2025-12-17-the-promise-story-of-progress-vision-statement-advocacy-reports-by-who-cares-scotland_abridged.pdf
100 Days of Listening. Scottish Throughcare and Aftercare Forum (Staf), 2024. https://www.staf.scot/Handlers/Download.ashx?IDMF=36c14562-d65a-4866-b6bf-685d0462974b.
Bettencourt, Michael, Kimberley Keenan, Larissa Gordon, et al. Virtual School Head Teachers in Scotland: Practice Case Studies. CELCIS, 2022. https://www.celcis.org/knowledge-bank/search-bank/virtual-school-head-teachers-scotland-practice-case-studies.
Bettencourt, Michael. CELCIS’s Response to the Scottish Government’s “Prescribing the Minimum Annual Number of Learning Hours: Consultation.” CELCIS, 2023. https://www.celcis.org/knowledge-bank/search-bank/response-celcis-scottish-governments-prescribing-minimum-annual-number-learning-hours-consultation.
Cross Border Thematic Review: July 2024. Care Inspectorate, 2024. https://www.careinspectorate.com/index.php/news/7674-cross-border-thematic-review.
Disabled Children and Young People’s Experiences of Social Work Services: A Thematic Review. Care Inspectorate, 2024. https://www.careinspectorate.com/images/documents/7714/Thematic%20review%20of%20services%20for%20disabled%20CYP.pdf.
Ellis, Sioned, and Natalie Williams. State of the Nation’s Foster Care: Spotlight on Scotland Report 2024. The Fostering Network, 2025. https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/policy-and-campaigns/state-of-the-nations/state-of-the-nations-foster-care-2024/.
Guinchard, Sydney. “Experiences of Parents in ‘The Village,’ an Online Support Network for Care- Experienced Parents: A Thematic Analysis.” Scottish Journal of Residential Child Care 23, no. 2 (2024).
Reimagining Secure Care - Final Report: A Vision for the Reimagined/Future World. Children and Young People’s Centre for Justice (CYCJ), 2024. https://www.cycj.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Reimagining-Secure-Care-Final-Report.pdf.
Roesch-Marsh, A, K McGhee, and F Gillon. The Digital Divide: The Impact on the Rights of Care Leavers in Scotland. 2021. https://www.celcis.org/application/files/5516/1158/7905/The_digital_divide_The_impact_on_the_rights_of_care_leavers_in_Scotland_Inform.pdf.
Scottish Mentoring Leadership Programme-Interim Report-Qualitative Process Impact Assessment. Scottish Government, 2024. https://www.gov.scot/publications/smlp-interim-report-qualitative-process-impact-assessment/.
Secure Care Pathway Review. Care Inspectorate, 2023. https://www.careinspectorate.com/images/documents/7293/Secure%20care%20pathway%20review%202023.pdf.
Social Marketing Gateway (SMG). Glasgow People Achieving Change (PAC) Mental Health Research: Final Report February 2022. Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership (GCHSCP), 2022. https://glasgowcity.hscp.scot/publication/glasgow-pac-mental-health-research-2022.
Social Value Lab. Helping to Keep the promise That Scotland Must Strive to Become a Nation That Does Not Restrain Its Children: Evaluation of The Promise Rethinking Restraint Pilot Report for Aberlour Childcare Trust and Kibble. Aberlour; Kibble, 2023. https://web-backend.aberlour.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/The-Promise-Report-Final-V3.pdf.
Transitions for Care Experienced Young People: A Thematic Review. Care Inspectorate, 2024. https://www.careinspectorate.com/index.php/news/7820-transitions-for-care experienced-young-people-a-thematic-review.
Who Cares? Scotland. “Exclusion Labelled as Support”: Care Experienced Children in Scotland’s Education System. Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland, 2025. https://www.celcis.org/news/news-pages/care experienced-children-struggling-access-right-education-scotland.
Your Voice Matters: A Peer Led Research Project to Explore the Experiences of Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children in Scotland. Scottish Refugee Council, 2024. https://scottishrefugeecouncil.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Your-Voice-Matters-YPV-Report.pdf.
Your Voice Matters: A Peer Led Research Project to Explore the Experiences of Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children in Scotland. Scottish Refugee Council, 2024. https://scottishrefugeecouncil.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Your-Voice-Matters-YPV-Report.pdf.