Caring Scotland?

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Alongside the One Hundred Voices installation, explore the testimony of Scotland’s Care Experienced community in this panel session. The Promise sets out that by 2030 every child in Scotland will grow up loved, safe and respected to realise their full potential. Yet, over half of Scotland’s looked-after children live in the most deprived areas, are more likely to have additional support needs, lower school attendance and higher rates of exclusion. How far has Scotland come in fulfilling The Promise?

Chair: Katherine Sangster MSP, Deputy Convener, Education and Gaelic Committee

Panellists:

Nicola McCartney is a playwright, director and dramaturg. She is also a social theatre practitioner and has worked with all sorts of groups including people within the criminal justice system in UK and USA, asylum seekers and refugees, drug users, survivors of domestic violence and childhood abuse. Nicola was until recently Reader in Writing for Performance at University of Edinburgh where she led the hugely successful Masters’ programme in Playwriting. She is now a part-time lecturer in Arts with Community at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland

Gemma Smith is a trans-racial adoptee and has worked with the National Leadership Network and the care sector for over 4 years now. She frequently advocates for adoption as both an identity and ‘status,’ and has a particular interest in language and its use and impact within the care sector, community, and wider society. Gemma is featured in the National Theatre of Scotland’s Ten Portraits exhibition.

Fiona Duncan is an Independent Strategic Adviser, The Promise. Fiona chaired the Independent Care Review from 2017-2020 and is now the Independent Strategic Advisor – the promise. She sets the strategic direction of all work to keep the promise and chairs The Promise Scotland. Fiona has over 30 years’ experience across the voluntary and public sectors, including previously serving as Chief Executive of the Corra Foundation.

Scott Kyle is an award-winning actor, producer and author best-known or his television role in Outlander, the film The Angels' Share and the award-winning Billy and Tim play. Having spent time in foster care he is now a foster carer to two teenagers and a baby. His memoir is titled It's Not Where You Start.