Scottish Government

FOREWORD

This report fulfils the Scottish Government's commitment under Action 12 of Looked After Children and Young People: We Can and Must Do Better which states: "We will encourage local authorities to use existing powers under Section 30 of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995 to provide financial support for care leavers who are in full time education, training or a modern apprenticeship. We will ask local authorities for examples of best practice. We will collate and share these amongst all local authorities".

This report provides examples of practice from all 32 Scottish local authorities which show their aspirations for their Looked After children and young people and care leavers. It also demonstrates their intentions to support these young people in a variety of ways, through their chosen pathway, to becoming successful, contributing members of society.

These positive examples of practice are testament to the good work that is done when children and young people are Looked After and beyond. Local authorities are working to create a climate within which they build motivation in children and young people as well as providing the necessary educational and life skills which support them on their journeys through life.

We all too often hear the "bad news" stories making it easy to forget that many young people who have been Looked After are able to achieve just as much as their peers who have not been Looked After. They will, of course, need the ongoing support of their corporate parent; whether that is support through high quality accommodation, a range of financial supports, or ongoing emotional and practical support. Support is often provided on a day to day basis by frontline staff and carers.

It is also positive to see authorities commenting on the actions they have taken following the publication of the We Can and Must Do Better report.

It is clear that we still have some way to go to fully meet the aims and aspirations of We Can and Must Do Better. Like any good parent, local authorities should aim to provide young people within their care with all the support and help they require in addition to celebrating their successes. This document is intended to highlight good and innovative practice, but it presents an opportunity for councils to reflect on their own practice, with a view to improve further the services offered to Looked After children, young people and care leavers.

COSLA and the Scottish Government are there to support councils in asking challenging questions, such as: Are we doing enough? Are we meeting our statutory obligations to our Looked After children, young people and care leavers? Could we do better? and Can we learn from what others are doing? It is thanks to the mature and positive relationship that has been established between local and national Government that we can try and answer these questions together.

We are sure that you will agree with us in saying that second best is not good enough for our Looked After children, young people and care leavers!

Through working together we can and do support our Looked After children, young people and care leavers to be all they can be. However, together we can and must learn from each other to improve what we do for the benefit of all of Scotland's Looked After children, young people and care leavers.

August 2008