What does Care Experienced mean?

The term "Care Experienced" refers to anyone who is currently in care or has been for any length of time regardless of their age.

This care may have been provided in many different settings, such as:

Kinship Care

Living with a relative who is not your mum or dad

Looked After At Home

With the help of social work

Residential Care

Living in a residential home or school

Foster Care

living with foster carers

Secure Care

Living in a secure accommodation

Adoption

Living with adoptive parents

Our vision

A lifetime of equality, respect and love for Care Experienced people.

What we do

Membership

Who Cares? Scotland is a membership organisation with over 3,700 Care Experienced members, of all ages and experiences, from all over Scotland. Our members are at the front and centre of our work and ensuring they feel well represented, valued and connected is of the utmost importance and key to our participation and influencing work.

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Advocacy

We strive to provide advocacy that helps young people feel respected, included, listened to and understood. We’re independent to any care services a young person receives – this is crucial because we want young people to be supported and understood with no conflict of interest. We've also set up The Helpline to support Care Experienced people by providing lifelong advocacy throughout Scotland. We can support, signpost and offer choice when you feel there is nowhere else to turn.

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Participation

We understand the importance of connecting with people who have similar or shared experiences, which is why we support and resource safe and valued local, regional and national spaces, bringing members together to build peer relationships, explore their identities and shape the world around them. We offer a wide range of groups, activities and events for Care Experienced people across Scotland.

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Education & Influencing

We support and empower individuals to develop as representatives who can speak on behalf of our membership. We gather members together, invest in them, and support them to elevate their collective voice. Our members help to shape and inform Who Cares? Scotland’s decision-making processes as well as having the aspiration to positively change Scottish culture to ensure a better future for Care Experienced people

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Our logo

In 2021 our members voted on a new logo. The logo they chose better reflects our values, history and our lifelong offer of love to all Care Experienced people.

Watch this video to find out what our logo stands for.

Our strategic plan for 2023 – 2027

Our vision is supported by five key priorities:

Upholding Rights

Through relationship-based, Independent Advocacy, we support Care Experienced people of all ages to have their rights met.

Influencing Change

By listening to what Care Experienced people tell us, we further develop our evidence-base which supports our asks of decision makers with the ability to bring about positive change.

Creating Connection

In bringing Care Experienced people together, we create spaces for fun, friendship and belonging, as well as opportunities to engage with influencing opportunities.

Providing Opportunities

Through our membership offer which promotes a positive sense of care identity, we provide additional opportunities and build an engaged community of Care Experienced people.

Creating Communities that Care

By delivering our work in communities across Scotland, we create care aware communities which can support everyone to thrive.

Read our strategic plan
Find out about our progress so far

Latest NEWS

Discounted Admission at Xcite

Member Benefit

Ready to get into fitness? Xcite – West Lothian Leisure are giving Who Cares? Scotland members who live in East Lothian discounted admission. • Under 18yrs to only pay £1.50…

Free Home Game Tickets at East Fife FC

Member Benefit

East Fife Football Club are giving Who Cares? Scotland members free tickets to any home games for them and their carer or trusted adult. To arrange getting your tickets email…

Free Home Game Tickets at Greenock Morton FC

Member Benefit

Greenock Morton Football Club are giving Who Cares? Scotland members four free tickets to any home games for them and their carer or trusted adult. To arrange getting your tickets…

Free Home Game Tickets at Livingston FC

Member Benefit

Livingston Football Club are giving Who Cares? Scotland members four free tickets to any home games for them and their carer or trusted adult. To arrange getting your tickets email…

25% at Target Technique

Member Benefit

Target Technique, based in Inverness, offers a range of modules and course to suit a range of shooters. It is Who Cares? Scotland members a 25% discount. Making an hour…

Free Home Game Tickets at Ayr United FC

Member Benefit

Ayr United Football Club are giving Who Cares? Scotland members free tickets to any home games. They can also get a ticket for a carer or trusted adult to attend…

Free Tour: Lauriston Castle

Member Benefit

Edinburgh Leisure are giving Who Cares? Scotland members and their families/friends access to free tours of Lauriston Castle! To arrange a tour email membership@whocaresscotland.org with your name, contact number and…

Louise: Why It’s Time to Take Action on Advocacy

Advocacy, Blog, Policy

Our Chief Executive Louise, shares her thoughts on the need for a statutory right to lifelong, independent advocacy and why she is determined to see this right included in the Promise Bill. With Scotland at a pivotal moment in delivering the Promise, Louise and Who Cares? Scotland are calling for action on advocacy to turn commitments into reality.

View all news & blogs

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Building a Strong and United Care Community

Who Cares? Scotland is a national organisation dedicated to supporting, empowering and amplifying the voices of Scotland’s care community.

We work alongside Care Experienced people of all ages to create lasting change, ensuring their rights are upheld and their stories are heard at every level of society.

Our mission is to build a stronger, more connected care community—one where everyone feels seen, supported and valued. Through advocacy, campaigns, events and direct support, we help Care Experienced people influence the systems and decisions that impact their lives.

By listening to the  experiences of our members, we continue to push for a future where the care community has equality, respect and love across Scotland.