Time to be Heard Pilot Forum

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.

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Did you spend time in Quarriers Homes as a child?

You can apply to take part in Time to be Heard

‘Time to be Heard’ is a Pilot Forum that will give up to 100 survivors and other former residents in Quarriers the chance to describe what it was like to be in care as children and the impact of that experience on their lives. Time to be Heard is confidential and the identity of those who take part will not be made public.

The Scottish Government has given funding and is helping with the preparations for this pilot forum. But Time to be Heard will be independent of government, with the Chair, Tom Shaw, and one of two Commissioners, Anne Carpenter and Kathleen Marshall, listening to each participant individually and with understanding and respect. Everyone who decides to take part will be offered support, help and advice before, during and after their involvement in Time to be Heard.

Time to be Heard will start from 17 May 2010 and will run for at least three months in central Glasgow at a confidential location. But if you are an older person, or ill, or have other reasons why you can’t travel, arrangements will be made to visit you. Travel costs will be paid for those who take part and for up to two supporters who can come with them.

Time to be Heard is a pilot forum that will test out how useful this approach could be. A report on Time to be Heard, including a record of what the participants say about their experiences and what taking part meant for them, will be available early in 2011.

If you take part you will be helping to improve things for children who are in care now and for adults who were in care as children in the past.

An information pack will be available from 7 April 2010.

Please phone 0131 244 3633 or 0131 244 3214 or write to the SurvivorScotland team, Area 2ER, St Andrews House, Edinburgh EH1 3DG. You can also download a pack from the SurvivorScotland website at www.SurvivorScotland.org.uk

The closing date for applications is 30 April 2010.