For too long young people in care have been let down by Scotland’s failing care system. North Ayrshire Labour support the national care review but we won’t be bound by its timetable – we want to deliver real change today to create a lifetime of equality, respect and love for care experienced people in North Ayrshire. And we are doing exactly that….

First Scottish Council to exempt care experienced young people from Council Tax

North Ayrshire Labour are proud to have been the first local authority in Scotland to exempt care experienced young people from Council Tax.

This practical step has kept money in the pockets of care experienced young people easing the financial pressures on their budgets.

First Council committed to stop taking kids out of school for meetings

Care experienced young people deserve the same education as their peers. That’s why North Ayrshire Labour have committed to stop taking children and young people in care out of the classroom to attend meetings.

First Council to completely review the language used by professionals working with care experienced young people

We need to put an end to the bullying and stigma that has been attached with being care experienced that has gone on for too long. That’s why North Ayrshire Labour have set on a journey to review the language used by professionals working with children and young people in our care and we are taking those young people on the journey with us through our Champions Board.

First Council to end the ‘Spare Room’ barrier to foster care

The first question any aspiring foster carer has traditionally been asked is “do you have a spare room?” and if the answer is no then their interest goes no further.

North Ayrshire Labour believes that is wrong. We believe the first question should be “can you provide a loving, caring home for a young person?”. So we are removing the ‘Spare Room’ barrier and will instead work with aspiring foster carers to secure them suitable housing.

Protected modern apprenticeship places

North Ayrshire has one of the biggest modern apprenticeship programmes of any local authority in Scotland and within that we have ring-fenced a minimum number of modern apprenticeships available to care experienced young people – and currently we are exceeding that minimum.