Care: Ending the cliff edge, delivering lifelong support

The issue

Right now in Scotland, too many care experienced young people face a sudden and damaging drop in support as they move into adulthood.

Despite policy intent, the reality remains:

• Abrupt transitions at 18–21

• Inconsistent access to housing and income

• Higher risk of homelessness, poverty and poor mental health

The Promise Scotland found care experienced people are significantly more likely to experience financial hardship and reduced earnings compared to their peers, and this has only been exacerbated in a cost of living crisis and the current global economic climate.

What Scotland has already committed to

Scotland has already set the direction. The Plan 24–30 Moving On and Lifelong Support Route Map is explicit:

• No young person should face a 'cliff edge' in support

• Support must be available for as long as it is needed

• Young people must be able to stay, leave and return to care without stigma

• The state must act as a lifelong, consistent parent

The Children (Care, Care Experience and Services Planning) (Scotland) Bill (Stage 3) strengthens:

• Aftercare rights

• Access to support beyond age 26

• Duties on public bodies to act

Why this matters to your constituents

This is not a niche issue. In every constituency:

• Care experienced young people are at higher risk of homelessness and poverty

• Corporate parents within local authority areas are not consistently carrying out corporate parenting duties

• A lack of capacity within workforce teams is impacting on the ability to sustain lifelong support and relationships, despite best policy intentions

• Failures in transition drive pressure on housing, health and justice services

• Failure to act increases both human and financial cost locally

The risk of inaction

Without urgent action, Scotland will continue to see:

• Young people pushed into crisis-led housing

• Increased demand on already stretched public services

• Long-term inequality becoming entrenched

• A failure to keep the promise, despite having the policy and legislative tools to do so

• Increases in both human and financial cost locally

What needs to change now

The next Parliament must now deliver:

• Seamless transitions between children’s and adult services

• Planned, supported housing pathways - never crisis-driven moves

• An end to premature independent tenancies for under-18s

• Access to lifelong, relationship-based support

This is about shifting from age-based cut-offs to needs-led, lifelong care.

The role of Staf - Scotland’s delivery partner

Staf is uniquely positioned to support delivery. We:

• Support implementation of lifelong support models co-designed with young people

• Bridge the gap between policy ambition and frontline reality

• Provide a lynchpin for the Throughcare and Aftercare workforce across Scotland to engage in peer learning and support

• Create platforms that amplify the voices of care experienced people and the workforce

We are not just advocates- we are enablers of change. As a direct response to the challenges raised by our members, Staf worked with care experienced consultants and partners to co-design a Care Leaver Minimum Income Guarantee blueprint focused initially on those in Modern Apprenticeships. This model:

• Tops up low wages to a liveable level

• Removes financial barriers to completion

• Prevents young people falling into crisis

Crucially, this is a model for supporting financial wellbeing, but also requires a holistic approach to supporting young people to ensure they have the opportunity to flourish. You can find more information on our blueprint here.

Final word

This election is not about whether we support care experienced people. It is about whether we are prepared to act as the parent they deserve. 

Because when we love, we do not withdraw support while it is still needed.

For more information, or to set up a meeting after 7 May, please contact info@staf.scot.