Renfrewshire is making strong progress towards transforming the lives of care-experienced children, young people and adults in the area.
The progress made by Renfrewshire Council and partners was detailed in a report and discussed by elected members at the most recent Education and Children’s Services Policy Board.
Supporting care-experienced young people to play a central role in influencing decisions has been one of many major developments Renfrewshire has made.
Care-experienced young people have contributed to local campaigns, creative projects, service design and events like the Promise Youthy Fest and Winter Fest (as part of the Promise Champs Christmas Gift Drive).
A Promise Human Library launched by the Council is designed to match care-experienced young people with staff working in careers they’re interested in. Young people are able to ask questions through email or phone and even visit the office.
Young people were part of a Promise Keeper Conference focused on employment opportunities for care-experienced people. This also featured a short film of care-experienced employees talking about their own experiences.
Care-experienced people applying for jobs in Renfrewshire Council now have a guaranteed interview as part of a new Guaranteed Interview Scheme.
More than 400 Council staff and partners are part of Renfrewshire’s Promise Keeper Network. Promise Keepers help embed awareness of care experiences, reduce stigma and improve services for care-experienced people.
Housing Services have expanded the support they provide for care-experienced young people. The team provide personalised pathways and early help to reduce risk of homelessness.
Education projects at Johnstone High and St Andrew’s Academy continue, focusing on supporting care-experienced young people and their wellbeing within each school.
All 63 schools have completed a Communities That Care programme to reduce stigma and improve inclusion of care-experienced pupils.
Work also continues through Family Wellbeing Services, digital inclusion with YMCA Scotland, and Community Justice.
Education Convener, Councillor Emma Rodden, said:
Renfrewshire is making remarkable progress to Keep The Promise to care-experienced children, young people and adults. Over the last year, our services and partners have listened to care-experienced people and made real changes that support them.
Care-experienced young people have taken a leading role in shaping creative projects and events and influencing decisions. All of our schools have completed the first stage of a whole-school programme on reducing stigma and improving inclusion for our care-experienced young people.
The Council has also made a significant commitment to care-experienced people through the new Guaranteed Interview Scheme. This will help remove barriers and improve employment outcomes for care-experienced applicants.
We have also expanded practical support, including personalised housing pathways and digital inclusion programmes. In addition, our Promise Keeper Network and Promise Human Library continue to grow and grow.
I am incredibly proud of the commitment shown across Renfrewshire to Keep The Promise. Together, we are building a more inclusive, compassionate and ambitious future for our care-experienced children, young people and adults.