WORKERS who have been in care are paid the living wage at Who Cares? Scotland because they are seen as being a vital part of the organisation’s growth and success.

“I’m proud that over a quarter of our workforce is care experienced and especially proud that we offer a supportive relationship-based employment programme that pays young people the living wage, and supports them to gain an SVQ,” said CEO Duncan Dunlop.

He said the charity does this because, statistically, care-experienced young people are more likely to leave school before their non-care experienced peers and with fewer qualifications. They are also less likely to move on to a positive destination immediately after leaving school.

“Across Scotland, the potential of care-experienced people isn’t being realised and I am determined to change that,” said Dunlop. “By employing care-experienced people, and providing them with the best support we can, we have created a driven and dynamic workforce that offers unrivalled expertise and insight. Our care-experienced members of staff are a key part of our organisation and make Who Cares? Scotland a truly inspiring place to work.”

Set up nearly 40 years ago to advocate for people who have been in care, Who Cares? Scotland now has advocacy workers in most of the country’s local authority areas helping members understand their rights, and helping their voice be heard.

The charity has nationally focused training, policies and campaigns to educate the public and decision-makers about the issues that care-experienced people face with the aim of eradicating the stigma care-experienced people face every day.

“Time and time again care-experienced young people tell us that they just want the same opportunities as everyone else,” said Dunlop. “They want to be loved, and not put down by the society they live in. They want to succeed, despite the difficulties they have faced before care, as well as in the care system.

“The outcomes care-experienced young people face compared to their non-experienced peers are not acceptable. Who Cares? Scotland’s aim is to help them to achieve equality.”

Care-experienced members of the organisation have spearheaded campaigns that have made a real difference to the system and the lives of other care-experienced people. By sharing their experience of care with Government ministers and other politicians, they changed the leaving care age to 21 and, last year, as a result of the ongoing 1000 voices campaign and the courage of members to speak up about their experience of care, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced an independent root-and-branch review of the care system.

The review is the biggest political commitment to care-experienced people in history and the first with care-experienced people at its heart.

“It’s my hope that this review will ensure care-experienced people no longer face the adversity that leads to them not reaching their potential, and that they all have every opportunity to participate in the working world in a meaningful way,” said Dunlop.

“The living wage doesn’t just put more money in people’s pockets. I have seen the difference that being paid fairly has made to people’s confidence and self-worth. Our continued growth and success is proof that a diverse and supported workforce can lead to great things.”