Islay's Story - Continuing Care in Foster Care
Islay is 17 and has been living with her foster carers since she was 15. She is currently working at her local Primark five days a week and is enjoying her job and the freedom it brings. She likes living with her foster carers too, but recently her social worker has been talking about Islay moving out and into her own flat. Islay is a bit confused about what to do. She likes her home with her foster parents but the idea of living independently is also quite exciting. She isn't sure if she could afford it though and has a lot of questions. She is unsure whether to talk to her foster parents about it, as she feels guilty and doesn't want them to think she is desperate to leave.
Watch Islay's story
This file tells you what you need to download and use the AR files.
Islay is entitled to continuing care even when she isn’t ‘looked after’ anymore.
Important things to remember
- She can stay at home with her foster family until she is 21.
- This will not be her only chance to get a flat. She can stay in continuing care to give her more time to get ready to move out to her own place.
- Everything carries on as it has been, but Islay is not in care under the responsibility of the local authority. She will not have ‘Looked After Child’ reviews or Children’s Hearings, and social work will not be involved in decisions about her when she is in continuing care.
- She can leave home with her foster family before is 21, when she feels ready to move out.
Find information about your right to continuing care and see the other stories here
Continuing Care and Your Rights is a project co-created with care experienced young people, CELCIS, Clan Childlaw and the Care Inspectorate, with the assistance and expertise of visual artist Ciara Waugh and Liminal Studios and Edinburgh Napier University in developing the digital media resources.
Scottish Child Law Centre
If you are under 21 and want to talk to someone about how the law affects you, our advice line is open Monday to Friday 9.30am – 4pm. You can contact us anytime or you may wish to call us during our dedicated Youth Hour which takes place every Tuesday and Thursday between 12pm and 1pm. During this time, our solicitors only take calls from children and young people. Call free on: 0800 328 8970 (from landlines) or 0300 3301421 (from mobiles).
Clan Childlaw
Anyone, of any age, anywhere in Scotland, can call Clan Childlaw with a question about children’s rights and about how the law and legal systems in Scotland work for children and young people. Clan Childlaw has a team of lawyers who can represent children and young people in court, in children’s hearings, and in important meetings. You can call free on 0808 129 0522, Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm. Or online here.
Who Cares? Scotland
If you’re a care experienced young person and you need advocacy support or someone to talk to, contact Who Cares? Scotland by phoning 0330 107 7540 or emailing help@whocaresscotland.org. The Helpline is open Monday-Friday, 12pm-4pm.
Care Inspectorate
If you are not happy with the level of care you are receiving, we would encourage you to first of all speak to the care service itself about your concerns. This is often the quickest way to resolve a problem. However, you can choose to complain directly to the Care Inspectorate either by: filling in our complaints form online, calling us on 0345 600 9527 or emailing us here. Children and young people can send a text directly to 07870 981 785.