Earlier this year, Intandem worked with 51 care experienced children and young people to inform the Oversight Board for The Promise’s fourth report. In conversations across Scotland, young people aged 8-18 shared what matters to them, what is working well, where change is still needed and what would make the greatest difference to their lives and those of their peers.
Working alongside the Oversight Board for The Promise team, we designed sessions that moved beyond policy language to explore young people’s everyday experiences: who and what supports them, where they feel safe, what makes it easier to ask for help, whether they feel heard and whether they have noticed improvements in care. Our aim was to create space for young people to talk about what matters, in their own words and on their own terms.
We offered several ways to take part, including supported one-to-one conversations with trusted adults such as Intandem mentors, online facilitated sessions and focus groups. Each session took a trauma-informed approach, recognising that for many participants this was their first experience of formal consultation. The work helped us expand InVoice, Intandem’s national participation forum for young people, and, for the first time, draw on the strong, trusted relationships Intandem mentors have with young people to support them to speak about the issues that matter most to them in a safe and engaging way.
For consistency within the one to one and online sessions an animation explained what to expect, while conversations took place in settings where young people felt comfortable and relaxed, from arcades and bowling alleys to the banks of Loch Ness. Group activities helped build connection and made participation feel less formal.
What did we hear?
Relationships, trust, voice and understanding were the strongest themes to emerge from the consultation. Many young people felt that being listened to did not always lead to action, or that they had to repeat their story several times before an issue was addressed.
One young person in a focus group captured this clearly: “Listened to, yeah… but not always understood.”
Authentic, trusted relationships emerged as one of the strongest themes raised by young people. Young people highlighted the importance of feeling comfortable enough to seek support from a trusted adult and to share a concern or worry.
Worryingly, some young people said that without a trusted person to turn to, they would avoid asking for support or simply nod and agree with an adult, even when they did not understand, to bring the conversation to an end. Several said they would instead turn to AI for suggestions. These responses highlight how young people may look elsewhere for guidance when trusted support is not readily available.
The findings also point to the need for greater awareness and a shared understanding of care experience across schools, communities and services. Many participants were unfamiliar with The Promise or unsure what being care experienced meant.
An Intandem coordinator from a partner organisation reflected: “When I did it one to one with young people, they struggled with the question ‘what does care experience mean’. Whether they were too young, or don’t see themselves as care experienced, I’m not sure, but no-one answered that one. We had nine young people complete it.”
School was identified as a critical part of a young person’s support network. Many felt there should be a greater focus on building relationships with key staff and providing access to mental health support within schools.
Some young people described schools that proactively helped their communities understand care experience and marked Care Experienced Week. Many others, however, felt their schools should do more to support care experienced young people and improve awareness.
“Getting on with someone… she got to know us, we trust her so we feel comfortable talking to her.”
Turning voice into action that families will feel
At Intandem, we believe meaningful participation can influence practice and lead to change that young people can see and experience. However, the fourth report rightly questions whether listening is consistently translating into action. We must ensure that we follow through on what young people’s voices are telling us. This requires all parties, particularly those with decision making power, to engage fully and be prepared to act; otherwise, agreement risks becoming performative rather than a genuine commitment to change.
Intandem attended the parliamentary reception marking the report’s launch, alongside some of the young people who had contributed to the consultation.
The young people heard from Siobhian Brown MSP, Minister for Children, Young People and The Promise, Paul McLennan MSP and David Anderson, Chair of the Oversight Board for The Promise. They also explored stalls and spoke with other attendees and MSPs.
The launch gave young people an opportunity to reflect on the process and consider whether their participation had made a difference. Their responses were mixed.
Some were encouraged that the issues they had raised were being discussed nationally. Others remained sceptical, questioning whether meaningful change would follow and stressing that words and promises were not enough when progress already felt too slow.
Others felt more hopeful after hearing the speeches and believed change would come because, as one young person put it, “They sounded so passionate.”
“I think it’s good that my voice has been heard and has been used to make the report, I feel listened to.”
“My school, the government, everyone needs to read this.”
For one young person who attended, this journey was also part of a personal goal they had set with their mentor: to meet more people and become more involved in their community. From taking part in a participation group for the first time and feeling quite anxious speaking with MSPs and delegates at the parliamentary reception, their progress has been brilliant to see. It also reflects the consistent, patient work of their mentor, who has supported them to build confidence, prepare for each new experience and take these steps at a pace that feels right for them.
“[Mentor] and I were absolutely taken aback at how J done and her just going up to people on her own. I said to J “you have done so well tonight and should be proud” and she was totally smiling and said “thanks I had fun actually!” – Partner Intandem Coordinator
You can read our contribution to the Oversight Board for The Promise’s report here:
Supplementary Report to the Oversight Board for The Promise
What happens next?
The message from young people was clear: voice is about more than being asked a question and giving a response. It depends on trusted relationships in which children and young people feel able to speak, are confident that they will be understood and that their views will lead to meaningful change.
Creating opportunities to be heard is only the first step. The fourth report makes clear that the next 6 to 18 months will be critical in determining whether Scotland remains on track to keep the promise.
Turning what we have heard into meaningful change will require sustained cross-sector collaboration and more timely action. Young people and families have been clear about the barriers they face. By working together to identify and address those barriers, we can strengthen pathways to support and enable sustainable change that children, young people and families can see and feel in their everyday lives.
Written by Kieran Platts, Intandem Participation and Engagement Officer