03 / Developing into Successful and Responsible Adults
Scotland's looked after children and young people will be
encouraged and supported as they approach adulthood; they will
be provided with the same types of opportunities as other
children and young people, so that they may grow into valued,
effective life long learners, and successful and responsible
adults. Where we are now: Looked after children can too often
become needy, disenfranchised and alienated adults. It is widely
accepted that they are more likely to: need mental health
services; go to prison; be homeless; and, have their own
children removed from them. The cost of wasted potential, of
long-term support services including the cost of imprisonment,
and of another generation of children in public care is almost
beyond comprehension. ( BAAF and TFN 2005:4) At the same time it
is recognised that: Each step up the educational ladder is
associated with improvements in health, both mental and
physical, employment, income, housing, family life, absenc