Course

This course is all about truly understanding care experienced people - not just the legal term “care experience,” but the full, rich identity each person brings. It’s about seeing beyond labels to recognise their unique stories, shaped by their past, their relationships, and the systems they’ve encountered.

We’ll start by looking at lifelong identity - because care experience doesn’t stop at 18. It stays with people, influencing who they are and how they navigate the world. You’ll explore how things like race, gender, and social class intersect to shape someone’s identity, and why understanding this big picture is so important when offering support.

You’ll see that identity isn’t one-size-fits-all. Everyone’s journey is different, and we’ll help you move past assumptions to offer support that’s thoughtful, compassionate, and tailored to each individual’s strengths and needs.

This course isn’t just about theory - it’s about action. You’ll learn how to put your understanding into practice with real-world strategies, access to statutory resources, and a further learning module.

By the end, you’ll have the knowledge and tools to advocate for care experienced people, help meet their needs, and build systems that truly support their lifelong identity.

1. Developing a model and tools to help workers in the justice system consider family and care experience.

2. Documenting these models, tools, and lessons through accessible content.

3. Making the module specifically accessible for workers in the justice sector.

A collective community is behind this module. Many of us as individuals and as organisations are working together to keep the Promise in all of its forms. Many have been involved in working on the Staying Connected Project that has generated this module. For more information about the Staying Connected Project please visit https://www.familiesoutside.org.uk/ and https://www.projectchange.scot/

The key partner organisations towards the creation of this module are:

- Families Outside

- ProjectChange

 The individuals who made up these teams include:

- Adam Bennett

- Ava-Lynn Mayer

- Chloe Sharkey

- Elaine Stalker

- Kerry Knox

- Nancy Loucks

- Rachael Borthwick

- Toni Groundwater 

Other key partners and/or influences include:

- The Violence Reduction Unit

- Scottish Prison Services

- Clan Childlaw

- Scottish Children's Reporter Administration 

Funders Include:

- The Promise Partnership

Who is this module for:

This module is for anyone working with care experienced individuals, including professionals in the justice system, social services, education, and healthcare, who want to deepen their understanding of the complex, lifelong identities of care experienced people and learn how to provide more compassionate, holistic support.