« Previous | Contents | Next »
Listen
9 Conclusions
In the course of this study five factors emerged as being critical to the success of our participants:
- having people in their lives who cared about them
- experiencing stability
- being given high expectations
- receiving encouragement and support
- being able to participate and achieve
The most important of these appeared to be stability in places and people, which all participants saw as vital to their success and to the success of other looked after children:
It doesn't work, going backwards and forwards. It's more hassle, you just have to move everything, not having all my stuff in one place and having to go back for stuff, it makes you feel awkward even though it's supposed to be your own house … going into a new place, it's hard. (Natalie)
Many of the participants had experience of more than one of these success factors being in place in their lives. Our findings should encourage the people who care for looked after children, and the people who have responsibility for looked after children, to promote these factors in children's lives. As Fraser said:
In my opinion, it would help to try and recreate the factors that I had.
Promoting these positive factors for looked after children is the responsibility of all those who are involved in their lives. It is particularly important that elected members, together with senior and middle managers take a close interest in the progress of looked after children and do all they can to encourage and support their achievements. All of those concerned need to act as a good parents, at all stages of looked after children's lives. As Claire tells us:
People should give children lots of praise and give them lots of belief in themselves.
The vision for all of Scotland's children is that they should be safe, nurtured, healthy and active, achieving, respected and responsible and included. The challenge for all of us is to look honestly at each aspect, and ask ourselves if we are doing everything in our power to fulfil this vision for looked after children.
We know that looked after children can overcome early experience of trauma and adversity. Our participants demonstrate that children's histories do not have to predict their future, and that journeys through childhood to adulthood can be changed. We are learning that being looked after should be a time at which there is real opportunity for change. We want all of our looked after children to be able to say, like Colin:
I'm glad the way my life's turned out. I couldn't wish for any better. If I'd had the perfect family maybe, but I didn't and I can't change that and you know, I'm very happy - very happy when all's said and done. (Colin)
« Previous | Contents | Next »