Care system review announcement welcomed by campaigners
CAMPAIGNERS have welcomed the new independent review of the care system as an opportunity to “save lives” and place love and compassion at the heart of the care sector.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced “an independent, root and branch review” at the SNP conference, including a pledge to place the experiences of those in the care system at the centre of the review.
In an emotional segment of her speech, Sturgeon fought to compose herself as young people in the front row stood up in the front row holding hand-cut hearts as a symbol of their campaigning efforts.
“Care experienced people will now be integral in the design of a system that will give them a much better chance to not just survive, but thrive.” Duncan Dunlop
Who Cares? Scotland, who held meetings with Sturgeon in hope that a review of the system would be announced, have welcomed the move.
Chief executive of ‘Who Cares? Scotland’ Duncan Dunlop said of the group’s website: “This review has the mandate to literally save lives. It is a line in the sand. The appreciative nature of this review, with care experience at its core, makes it a global first. Care experienced people will now be integral in the design of a system that will give them a much better chance to not just survive, but thrive.
“Young people can now imagine a care system where brothers & sisters are expected to live together. A system where all carers are encouraged to us the word ‘love’ around children they dedicate their lives to caring for.”
An emotional @NicolaSturgeon announces "root and branch review" of care system as heart cards waved #SNP16 https://t.co/H4Lj6gE84Y
— BBC Scotland News (@BBCScotlandNews) October 15, 2016
Sturgeon promised a review that would stop the micromanagement of young people in the care sector, in favour of providing love, compassion, and taking on social challenges.
She told the party’s conference: “We can't ignore the reality for too many children in care. Only six per cent go to university. Nearly half will suffer mental health issues.
“Half of the adult prison population are people who lived in care when they were growing up. And worst of all – and this breaks my heart – a young person who has been in care is twenty times – twenty times – more likely to be dead by the time they are 25 than a young person who hasn’t.”
Following the speech, Who Cares? Scotland added: “The revolution started today.”
Campaigners now await further details on the timetable for the review process.
Picture courtesy of SNP Conference Live
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