We are helping to mark the world’s biggest celebration of children and young people with care experience on 19 February by illuminating its headquarters red.
We are also welcoming four young people who are bringing their talent and experience of care to the newly established posts of Development Worker Keeping the Promise.
Care Day is an annual international celebration of the Care Experienced community, which aims to:
- Celebrate: Shift public attitudes on Care Experienced people's lives.
- Connect: Bring together the Care Experienced community with their allies and corporate parents to talk about how we can ensure Care Experienced people get the love, rights and relationships they deserve.
- Communicate: Motivate the Care Experienced community, their allies and corporate parents to share their celebrations, show their commitments and ignite discussion.
Alison Gordon, Head of Children and Families explained: “The creation of these new posts will play a significant role in delivering our ambition to provide the best possible support to children, young people and their families.
“A particular focus for the team will be ensuring the ‘voice’ of children and young people is heard and that it informs all future developments. They will also help us to ensure that in line with ‘The Promise’, we build the foundations of ‘Care’ based on relationships characterised by love, care and stability.
“Care Day itself is an opportunity to celebrate and recognise the tremendous work done by all those who help and support our young people and families during a year which has presented particular challenges.
“Having made a firm commitment as a council to Keeping the Promise we will continue to work closely with the care experienced community and local and national partners including Who Cares Scotland to take forward the actions required to deliver on this.
“We are all determined to support North Lanarkshire’s care experienced young people to reach their potential and provide them with the help and guidance they need to succeed.”
New development worker Beth-Anne Logan said: “Care day is an opportunity for care experienced people to come together to celebrate who we are and what we’ve achieved. It’s also a poignant reminder to cherish those we’ve lost and carry their spirits in our souls. I am really excited to take up the role of Promise development worker to really drive forward change in North Lanarkshire and deliver the promise made by Scotland to our children and their families.”
Des Murray, Chief Executive of the council, added: “It’s vital that we listen to the views of young people with care experience so we know how they can be supported as they move to be independent in their adult life. Care experienced young people provide a tremendous contribution to our society and we all have a role to play in helping them to achieve their potential through practical help and advice.
“This is a truly inspirational day to celebrate the rights of children and young people and to acknowledge the resilience and strength that these outstanding individuals have demonstrated when working towards their achievements."