Themes emerging from Staf Focus Groups and Forums
Over the past few months, colleagues from across our focus groups, advisory groups and forums have been sharing their experiences of supporting care experienced children and young people. While discussions covered a wide range of topics, three themes emerged time and again – highlighting both the challenges facing young people and the commitment of practitioners working to support them.
Housing: More than a roof over someone’s head
Housing remains one of the most pressing issues facing care experienced young people across Scotland. From long waiting lists and limited housing availability, to the complexities of preparing young people for independent living, housing featured prominently in discussions across several groups. Colleagues shared examples of young people waiting many months for suitable accommodation, creating uncertainty and delaying their next steps.
Our members also highlighted the importance of getting transitions into tenancies right. Practice flats, step-down models and strong leaving care housing protocols were all identified as valuable tools in helping young people develop confidence and skills before moving into their own homes.
There is also concern about inconsistencies between local authorities and the extent to which corporate parenting responsibilities are understood across housing services. Participants spoke about the need for housing to be recognised not simply as an accommodation issue, but as a key part of supporting successful transitions into adulthood.
Transitions to Adult Services: When support falls between the gaps
A second recurring theme was the challenge of transitioning young people into adult services. Across multiple forums, practitioners described throughcare and aftercare teams continuing to hold responsibility for young people because adult services were either difficult to access or had increasingly restrictive eligibility criteria. This was particularly evident for young people with complex needs, disabilities or mental health challenges.
Many colleagues spoke about the pressures this creates for small teams, as well as the frustration of seeing young people caught between services. Despite more than a decade of corporate parenting legislation, there remains a strong sense that responsibility for care experienced young people is still too often viewed as the role of specialist teams, rather than a shared commitment across services.
Questions were also raised about whether current thresholds and eligibility criteria remain fit for purpose as the needs of young people and the wider policy landscape continue to evolve.
Supporting New Scots: Consistency, inclusion and opportunity
The experiences of unaccompanied asylum-seeking young people (UASC) – often referred to as New Scots – were another significant area of discussion. Members highlighted considerable variation in the support available across different parts of Scotland, particularly around housing, education and entitlement to services. This inconsistency can be confusing for young people and practitioners alike, with some young people becoming aware that support differs significantly depending on where they live.
Access to English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) provision emerged as a particular concern. Traditional college entry requirements can create barriers for newly arrived young people, leading many local authorities to develop alternative solutions through community learning programmes and specialist tutors.
The discussion also explored the impact of the wider political climate on recruitment of supported lodgings hosts, with some schemes reporting increased challenges in attracting families willing to support asylum-seeking young people. At the same time, services are adapting to meet growing demand and increasingly diverse needs.
Looking Ahead
While each of these themes presents distinct challenges, a common thread runs through them all: the importance of joined-up, consistent support for care experienced young people. Whether the issue is housing, access to adult services or support for New Scots, colleagues continue to demonstrate creativity, persistence and commitment in finding solutions. These conversations provide valuable insight into where progress is being made, where barriers remain, and where collective action is needed to ensure every young person receives the support they need to thrive.
