Scotland made a promise to care experienced children and young people:
You will grow up loved, safe and respected. And by 2030, that promise must be kept.
As a children’s charity, Family Journeys values are shaped by the very children we work alongside.
#KeepThePromise is a cross-party Scottish Government commitment to ensure that positive change is meaningfully achieved for care experienced and edge of care children and young people.
At Family Journeys we take a children’s rights-based approach to all our work. We believe the child is the expert in their own situation and must be able to express their opinions in decisions that affect them, especially where these decisions are about their family, their relationships, and their home.
Family Journeys wish to share our open desire to embrace the changes required and to take bold and brave decisions that will ensure better outcomes are delivered to our care experienced and edge of care children and young people.
What is #KeepThePromise?
Family Journeys have made a commitment and a promise to children, young people and adult care experienced individuals and families.
We will make the changes necessary to ensure:
- that their needs are met
- that they have opportunities to flourish
- that we listen to how we can best support them.
Family Journeys are fully committed to the principals of The Promise:
There must be a compassionate, caring decision-making culture focused on children and those that they trust.
That ALL children must be listened to and meaningfully and appropriately involved in the decision-making about their care
That all those involved in a child’s care must be properly listened to and respond to what children want and need
Our support is led by relational and trauma informed practice, the rights of the child, and a belief in successful independent co-parenting.
Our services can be accessed by children and young people directly. Adults can also access our services, for help to maintain relationships with their children.
- We will listen confidentiality to what the child or young person wants or needs.
- We will be honest, and we will always explain what we can and cannot help with.
- When adults access this service, we always ensure that the child’s rights and views guide our work with the adults in their lives.
- This service can help children and young people when coping with conflict, personal struggles, adversities and or trauma.
Details about the promise
- The Independent Care Review (2020) has clearly set out the research evidence that Scotland’s care experienced children and young people have been failed by a system that doesn’t work to ensure their needs are met.
- Scotland has produced Plan 24-30 which is the route map to #KeepThePromise by 2030.
- Family Journeys, along with hundreds of other organisations across Scotland, support The Independent Care Review findings in not allowing this failure to continue.
- The Promise is part of a framework of legislation, policies and principles that inform our work along with Getting it Right for Every Child (GIRFEC), The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and the Children (Scotland) Act 2020.
- We are proud to have made changes and steps towards improving supports for children in care and on the edge of care. With funding from The Promise Partnership, Corra Foundation on behalf of Scottish Government, we have been able to invest in our commitment to care experienced and edge of care children and young people and further build on the work we have started. We also acknowledge that this is just the start, and we still have a lot to achieve. We are committed however to continuing this journey and have a strong desire to share and receive knowledge and skills to continually improve outcomes for children and effect sustainable change for future generations, sharing our learning as we go.
Why does #KeepThePromise matter?
In July 2023, over 12,200 children were in the care of local authorities across Scotland and many tens of thousands of people over the years who have gone through the system themselves.
Laura Beveridge is a Development Officer at Who Cares? Scotland helping young people in Scotland. Having grown up in care herself, Laura’s life was disruptive in a different way, moving around a lot and having everything she did, from jumping on a trampoline to a sleepover with friends, recorded and risk assessed. Prior to this strict and nervous system Laura’s life was a collection of trauma, rejection and physical pain.
Whilst in care herself, Laura was bullied and felt different and isolated. Throughout her working life, she has seen the barriers young people still have to face as a result of their time going through similar situations. Laura gave a Ted-X talk in Glasgow that provided an insight into what life feels like in care and the real people behind those grim statistics. She will explain how children in care are one of the most marginalised and misunderstood groups in society and invite you to join the movement that seeks to change care forever.
Resources
Want to know more about #KeepThePromise
Visit The Promise website to learn more about The Promise
FAQs
Will I have to see my ex-partner?
- No. If you do not feel comfortable seeing another parent/carer Family Journeys will stagger Family Connections arrival and departure times to ensure everyone feels safe, and their needs are respected. Within our mediation services we can offer shuttle mediation, either in person or online. This involves parents/carers being in different rooms and the mediator moving between. If you are attending our Parenting Apart programme, you will not be put in the same group as another family member (unless expressly requested).
Am I allowed to take photographs?
- As an organisation promoting positive relationships, capturing special moments is a normal aspect of nurturing positive connections. Please note however, this may be subject to certain conditions if a court order explicitly prohibits photographs, if there are child protection concerns or identified risks or if the child does not consent to having their photograph taken, their wishes will be respected. Prioritising the safety and consent of all parties involved is paramount.
Will there always be a staff member in playroom with my child?
- During supervised Family Connection sessions, a staff member will ALWAYS be present with your child. During supported Family Connection sessions, a staff member will be available for when a child or parent/family member may need them, and they will offer regular check ins to see if all is going well in the playroom.
Can I wait at Family Journeys whilst my child sees my ex-partner?
- Yes of course. We have relaxing parent/carer rooms for you to wait whilst your child is enjoying time in the playrooms. This can help you and your child feel more at ease in the early sessions. However, you may also wish to spend some time away from the venue and this is encouraged once your child feels comfortable coming to Family Journeys. Staff will always call you if your child needs you to return.
My court order was issued last month, why can’t I start immediately?
- At Family Journeys, we understand this is a stressful period for all, especially the child. We don’t want to delay but sometimes it takes a while to find a vacant slot in our venues that suits both you and your child. We also want to give your child and family every chance of success when coming to Family Journeys, therefore it is important that we start after a period of preparation. This preparation period will travel at the pace of the child and support everyone to get the most out of their time playing together in the hope of independent co-parenting solutions.
How long will it take after the intake meeting for contact to start?
- This is difficult to answer because it depends on your child’s readiness to meet. Sometimes we support the child with an extended preparation or involve the child in our All About Me service if they are struggling. Normally we would hope your first play session would be no longer than a month after your initial meeting with staff, but sometimes it can take longer.
I worry I can’t afford this. What can I do?
- If you are in receipt of benefits or earn below a certain threshold, you may be entitled to Scottish Legal Aid. You will need a solicitor to access these funds. If you are not entitled to Scottish Legal Aid and feel you will struggle to meet the costs, please get in touch with us directly to discuss how we can work out a payment plan that is affordable.
If I go on holiday, will I get into trouble?
- No. We will communicate this information to your ex-partner and solicitors, if applicable, and arrange a catch-up session where possible. The key here is being honest and planning ahead.
I can’t find a legal aid solicitor, what do I do?
- Although Family Journeys cannot specifically suggest a particular solicitor, we can provide you with a list of Scottish Legal Aid solicitors who you can contact.
My solicitor told me that they are no longer doing Legal Aid work. What do I do?
- Let Family Journeys know ASAP. It is possible the child’s other parent may be able to cover costs short term through their own legal aid. Family Journeys can help communicate this with your permission. It may be important for you to find another solicitor to represent you. During this period, we will not stop your child’s Family Connections time.
I am worried my ex-partner will find out where I live if they ask the children. Can you control what is said during a session?
- During supervised Family Connections sessions, our staff will be present to ensure you, and your children, are safe. Any leading questions thought to expose a restricted address will be stopped.
How can I access my child’s or my notes?
- You can acquire all notes retained on our information management system regarding yourself and/or the child you have legal rights and responsibilities for through a subject access request.
What happens if a parent or guardian arrives under the influence of substances?
- Family Journeys are unable to do any drug testing, but we do visual checks and monitor the persons behaviour. If staff detect that a person is under the influence or cannot look after the child, family time will be stopped. Family Journeys are an inclusive organisation, if a family is impacted by substance use Family Journeys can support to find appropriate solutions with the individual and family.