Insight paper: ‘Challenging Stigma in the care system’
Bright Spots research shows that being singled out, stereotyped & treated differently is an on-going issue for both children in care & care leavers
What is the insight paper about?
- Our Bright Spots research, developed in partnership with the Rees Centre at the University of Oxford, shows that being singled out; being stereotyped and treated differently is an on-going issue for both children in care and care leavers.
- About 1 in 8 young people in care (12%) aged 11-18yrs felt adults did things which made them ‘feel embarrassed about being in care’. Similarly 1 in 10 care leavers report that, as a care leaver, they have been treated negatively.
- Children in care and care leavers described how the behaviours and actions of their social workers, teachers and others who support them can make them feel singled out and reinforce the stigma associated with care experience.
- By doing the Your Life Your Care and Your Life Beyond Care surveys local authorities have been hearing from children and young people about the issues they face. Amongst the local authorities that are working with us, we have found some great initiatives working with children and young people to change their experience of stigma.
What can you do?
- Be inspired to make a change in your area by reading what local authorities have done and the key messages from young people. Read the Insight paper
- Sign up to our Voices Improving Care updates to keep hearing about how we and our partners work with children in and from care to change policy and practice for the better. Sign up to our newsletter
- If you want to find out more about Bright Spots and the work we do with local authorities get in touch.