Voice: Embedding excellence in participation as standard
The issue
Scotland has committed to listening. Yet across the system, decisions are still too often made about care experienced people, not with them.
Through our national engagement, we consistently hear:
Voices are not always acted upon
Advocacy remains inconsistent
Systems prioritise process over people
This affects not only individual outcomes, but the effectiveness, fairness and efficiency of public services.
National direction – now requires delivery
Scotland has already committed to:
Relationship-based and trauma-informed practice
Enforceable rights to advocacy
Corporate parenting responsibilities
The next Parliament must ensure this is delivered consistently, improving outcomes, reducing system failure and strengthening trust. Great strides have been made through legislation, but implementation needs to be the focus of this next Parliament.
Why this matters in your constituency
Embedding voice leads to:
Better decisions and outcomes
More efficient use of public resources
Increased confidence in services
The role of Staf – national platform for voice
Staf provides Scotland’s national platform where lived experience, workforce insight and system leadership come together to shape change.
Through our national engagement and evidence gathered through 100 Days of Listening, we ensure policy and practice are informed by what is actually happening across Scotland.
Alongside this, through resources like The REAL Toolkit (recognised in Scottish Government as a useful tool to support keeping the promise), we support professionals to embed understanding of care experience in everyday decision-making.
What must happen now
Final word
Listening improves outcomes, strengthens services and builds trust. Staf is here to support the next Parliament to do this, alongside young people and the workforce that supports them.
For more information, or to set up a meeting after 7 May, please contact info@staf.scot.
