Toolkit
“The first principle of making this about what every child needs to thrive has been really key. Previously, we would have gone straight in with every child who comes into care has experienced trauma and loss as a first thing. And now that’s not what we do. And I’m really pleased about that, as it feels much more respectful and sensitive.”
How we talk about care experience matters.
We know that, with the right support, each and every child in Scotland can thrive. However, we also know that stigma impacts on people with lived experience of care in all aspects of their lives. The assumptions, misunderstanding, stereotypes, and limited aspirations that the public have around care experience and the care system impact on the way people with care experience are viewed and supported.
Stigma comes from the way care experience is discussed and represented by the media and in culture. Stigma also comes from the way we all currently talk about both care experience and the care system. At times, we can actually reinforce stigma even if we don’t mean to.
We need to change the narrative around care experience and the care system. Each and Every Child, in collaboration with FrameWorks UK, have developed eight ways we can talk about care experience and the care system that counter stigma and discrimination towards people with experience of care.
The Each and Every Child toolkit is a step-by-step guide to using our evidence-based framing recommendations. It will help anyone talking about care experience and the care system to counter stigma and discrimination, build public understanding and direct people to the solutions we know will improve the lives of children, young people and families across Scotland.