Just a wean in care
Our anonymous blogger talks about facing judgement as a care experienced young person, the importance of listening and why we must remember that every ‘wean in care’ is an individual case. Once you are known as a “wean in care” it never goes away. You face constant judgment from everyone – social work, the police, […]
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Coming out as Care Experienced
‘Jeri’ reflects on the stigma she felt when identifying as a care experienced young person, and why speaking out changes attitudes. Coming out as Care Experienced Happily unpacking my suitcase for the first time, as I was unpacking it in my tiny little room at halls of residence in university and not into a supported […]
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From Strathclyde to Shanghai – a social worker goes on tour
Following a trip to Shanghai by CYCJ and the University of Strathclyde, Donna McEwan reflects on the differences (and surprising similarities) in social work and youth justice, and how we can use this learning to improve what we do in Scotland. Working at CYCJ creates opportunities I could never have imagined as a social worker in […]
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Join our resolution
Happy New Year! Are you feeling ready for 2019? Here at CYCJ, we’re excited about continuing our journey towards making things the best they can possibly be for Scotland’s children and young people, and working with our stakeholders to achieve this. Whether you’re a professional, carer or member of the public, one resolution that we […]
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Celebrating the voices of young people
As the Year of Young People 2018 draws to a close, Ross Gibson reflects on 12 months of powerful blogs written for CYCJ by young people – and where we go next. I’ve never written a blog before. At least, not a proper one. I think the closest I’ve come is website updates as secretary of my […]
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What road do we want to go down?
Alison Gough, Secure Care National Advisor, shares her reflections on a decade of secure care in Scotland – and why we need to listen to the young people who are showing us the way. Ten years ago in 2008… …Who Cares? Scotland and the University of Strathclyde published a report called: This isn’t the Road […]
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Taking the next steps to improving residential childcare experiences
Following her attendance at the Howard League for Penal Reform ‘Policing the Community’ Conference and Community Awards, at which CYCJ and Staf received a special commendation for their work on responding to offending in residential childcare, Debbie Nolan talks us through what she learnt and the future direction of the ‘Next Steps’ project. On November […]
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Education is empowerment
In November 2018, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Education John Swinney announced that Scotland will become the first country in the world to have LGBTI inclusive education embedded in its curriculum. In this month’s YOYP blog, Jordan Daly tells us what this decision means to him, and how it will support young people […]
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The right to difference – being LGBT+ in the prison system
If you’re a young adult in prison, life is challenging enough; if you’re LGBT+, this challenge is magnified. Faced with an environment in which prejudice can be embedded at all levels, many choose to hide their true identity to avoid further stigma. Dr Fernando Fernandes talks us through his research project and what needs to […]
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