‘They feel like another child in care has their back’: An exploration of peer support between looked after children in Scotland

Abstract

The Independent Care Review in Scotland has encouraged a policy shift towards recognising young people’s potential to contribute to their own and others experiences of care (Scottish Government 2020a). This paper makes an important contribution to debates around the role of children in the social support systems of others who have experienced loss and trauma. It reports on a research project which explored young people’s views on peer support in care and their experiences of it. It highlights the crucial role that ‘peers’ play in looked after children’s social support systems at both an individual and systemic level. Friendships, in this context of a social support system based on a shared set of experiences, were regarded as transformative. Barriers to the formation of such social support systems also emerged, for example limited understanding within the ‘adult’ support system of the significance and benefits of relationships amongst children. Young people experienced their peer social support systems as overlooked, downplayed or misunderstood by adults. As a result, decisions and actions were often taken which disrupted or, in some cases, destroyed, effective social support systems. The paper argues for changes in practice to support the friendships looked after children have while in care.