In January 2025, Staf finalised our response to the Scottish Government Developing a Universal Definition of ‘Care Experience’ consultation.

Read our full consultation response here.

To ensure we captured the thoughts and reflections of our members and the care experienced community, we held two facilitated virtual consultation sessions. In addition, we participated in multi-agency discussions with members of the third and statutory sectors. From these discussions, we identified common themes and perceptions.

Although generally welcoming the idea of a universal definition of care experience, both Staf workforce members and the care experienced participants expressed a degree of scepticism about the purpose of such a definition.

For both groups, it was felt that work undertaken previously, specifically around the Independent Care Review, the Care Leavers’ Covenant and the setting out of The Promise, had already amply covered the thinking behind a universal definition of care experience, and that what was missing was signs of implementation of previous, existing consultation recommendations.

Through partnership and by design, Staf’s work will continue to highlight and amplify the voices of the workforce and care experienced community alike, adding context and insight into the process of making sound policy and legislation.

We know more needs to be done to consistently connect with and amplify these voices, to understand their experience of care, to raise awareness of their rights to continuing care and aftercare, and to reshape the support required for them to succeed. We stand ready to play our part in the implementation and innovation required to ensure the rights of care experienced people are upheld and respected.