The ‘Care Day’ flag is flying above Lerwick Town Hall today as Shetland Islands Council shows its support for the world’s largest annual celebration of people with care experience.
Care Day unites individuals, organisations, and communities across Scotland, the UK and Ireland, highlighting the voices, achievements, and rights of children, young people and adults who have experienced care in different settings, such as foster care, kinship care or residential care.
Founded in 2016, Care Day was established across the UK and Ireland by five leading children’s rights charities, including Who Cares? Scotland, to celebrate care experienced people and amplify their voices in shaping policy and social change.
This year’s theme #ConnectedByCare highlights the many ways people across Scotland are linked to care – through family, friendship, community, or personal experience.
Across Scotland, organisations are marking Care Day with events, celebrations, and opportunities for connection. The #ShetlandCrew, the Meids Board, and the Shetland Children’s Partnership have driven improvements in the support and services available locally through early intervention, prevention, and strengthened collaboration with partners.
Councillor Davie Sandison, Chair of the Council’s Education and Families Committee, said: “Today we celebrate the remarkable achievements of care experienced young people across Shetland. Their voices continue to shape the way we work, and their courage inspires positive change every day. Care Day is an opportunity to reflect on our progress to keep The Promise locally, and to renew our dedication to ensuring every young person grows up safe, respected, and able to thrive.”
Notes for Editors
- For more details on Care Day, please look up - www.whocaresscotland.org/care-day/
- 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 or friend (not birth parents) arranged by social work
- Looked After At Home – Living with parents under a Compulsory Supervision Order
- Residential Care - Living in a children’s home or secure care
- Foster Care - living with foster carers
- Adoption – previously looked-after children who have been adopted
- Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children
- The Promise Scotland is a ten-year commitment (by 2030) to overhaul Scotland’s care system based on the 2020 Independent Care Review, ensuring children grow up safe, loved, and respected.