Care Leavers' Association

The following advert, from Survivor Scotland (click on 'Read more', below, for the advert), relates to the 'Time to be Heard' Pilot Forum for abuse survivors from the Scottish child care system. You can also find more details at http://www.survivorscotland.org.uk

As an organisation, the Care Leavers' Association, along with the Scottish Institute for Residential Child Care, conducted a research project into the views of care leavers about the Forum process. As a result of that project, we have concerns about how adequate the Forum process will be. You can see what those concerns are from reading the report that was produced as a result of that project (available for download on this website at Time for Justice). We think the Forum process may not go far enough in ensuring proper accountability and addressing the full impact of the Scottish abuse experience in the child care system. We are concerned that it will lead to an inadequate response from both the Government and the voluntary sector agencies involved. We have written to the Scottish Government to ask them, based on our research, and the views of the care leavers we have spoken to, to design a better process that all care leavers can have confidence in.

The following link is to an article that appeared in 'Children and Young People Now' yesterday. The article picks up on a press release issued after the Care Leavers' Association Executive Committee meeting in London last Saturday. The CLA discussed the UK government's decision to end financial support for the work of the National Centre for Excellence in Residential Childcare with vulnerable children. Instead, the government department concerned, the Department for Children, Schools and Families, is going to provide funding for a private sector consultancy group about whom little is known with regards to work in the child care field. The CLA condemns the involvement of private, profit-making companies in the child-care sector on principal. It also notes the problems associated with private sector involvement in other social care fields, such as the provision of residential care for older people. You can read the full story by following the link: http://www.cypnow.co.uk/news/ByDiscipline/Social-Care/996115/Care-Leavers-Association-condemns-NCERCC-closure-plans/

On Saturday 22ndy May 2010, 3pm - 5pm, there is an informal local meeting for all Hampshire care leavers

This is a really informal gathering, which is open to all care leavers, whether you grew up in care in Hampshire, or were in care elsewhere but now live in Hampshire. It is a chance to meet up with others who grew up in care and also to find out more about the Care Leavers' Association and the work that we do.

The meeting will be held at: Landport Community Centre, Charles St, Portsmouth, PO1 1PH

The event is being run by a group of independant care leavers in Portsmouth.

For more information please contact Simon Roberts on 02392 429 606 or Email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

The website provides a wide range of information to young people about their legal rights and the laws affecting them.

The website contains information on the rights of young people and the laws that affect all aspects of their lives – education, healthcare, discrimination, policing, age-based laws, leaving home and more. It also contains information for young people who are in care or leaving care and for migrant children.