Developing a universal definition of ‘care experience’
Feedback updated 4 Jul 2025
We asked
For views on the need for a universal definition of ‘care experience’ and what the potential impacts of this could be. We also asked for views and insight into the language of care.
The consultation was launched on 9 October 2024 and ran for a period of 16 weeks. The consultation included two sections. The first section asked for views on the need for a universal definition of ‘care experience’, the potential scope of a definition and who this could include, and what the potential impacts of a universal definition could be.
The second sought views on the wider language of care, and how to build on existing local good practice to set a national direction for language that is used relating to care to address stigmatising assumptions, attitudes and behaviours that can impact on all areas of a child or young person’s life, now and into the future.
You said
142 written responses to the consultation were received. Of these, 71 responses were from individuals and 71 responses were from organisations. Organisational respondents included local authorities, health boards and post-16 education bodies for further and higher education. The consultation was supported by a series of online and in person engagement events between October and January.
Respondents were broadly supportive of creating a universal definition of ‘care experience’, with 80% of all respondents agreeing to some extent that this is needed.
Respondents indicated that people felt that existing language relating to care can be unclear or inconsistent, stigmatising and create barriers. Along with defining ‘care experience’, respondents highlighted the need for public education to assist in shifting cultural views around care.
A range of language initiatives focused on changing professional practice or raising awareness were mentioned by several respondents in the consultation.
We did
The independent analysis report Consultation on Developing a Universal Definition of 'Care Experience' Analysis of Consultation Responses - gov.scot has been published, as well as the consultation responses where permission was granted.
Responses to the consultation have informed policy development in the form of two new key provisions included in the Children (Care, Care Experience and Services Planning) (Scotland) Bill:
- Advocacy provisions for children, young people and adults with care experience.
- Provisions requiring Scottish Ministers to publish guidance in relation to the language of care, which will include a universal definition of ‘care experience’.
Results updated 4 Jul 2025
The findings from the consultation have informed the development of the Children (Care, Care Experience and Services Planning) (Scotland) Bill, which includes a requirement on Scottish Ministers to publish guidance in relation to care experience.
The guidance will increase understanding of care experience and promote best practice in relation to identifying and communicating with people with experience of care, using non-stigmatising language.
The guidance will seek to build on existing local good practice to set a national and consistent direction for the language used in and around the care system, including improving awareness, and promote positive attitudes and behaviours. It is also intended that the guidance will include a universal definition of the term ‘care experience’.
The Children (Care, Care Experience and Services Planning) (Scotland) Bill was introduced to parliament on 17 June 2025. The proposed legislation will now be scrutinised by the Scottish Parliament.
Links:
Published responses
View submitted responses where consent has been given to publish the response.
Overview
The purpose of this consultation is to seek views on the need for a universal definition of ‘care experience’ and what the potential impacts of this could be.
The Promise tells us that while it is not a legal term, ‘care experience’ is a term that has a special and different meaning for many of the people who identify with it. This includes infants, children and young people, and adults who may choose to identify as ‘care experienced’. Reasons for this could include that they feel it describes the situation that they have grown up in, or that this describes an understanding of their personal identity. However, not everyone who could identify as ‘care experienced’ will choose to do so for a number of reasons, including that for some people it may feel like a stigmatising term.
The Promise also tells us that a universal definition of ‘care experience’ will help to normalise care as more people can understand and relate to it. The Promise sets out that there must be a more universal, commonly understood definition as it relates to rights and entitlements and an understanding that the purpose of those rights and entitlements is to support people with care experience.
In response to our commitment to keep The Promise, The Scottish Government Keeping the Promise Implementation Plan set out the cross-Government actions and policies that will be taken to bring about the transformational change required to keep the Promise by 2030. This includes a commitment to work with partners across Scotland, including The Promise Scotland, to develop a universal and inclusive definition of ‘care experience’ so that more people can understand and identify with it.
Read the consultation paper. The consultation paper contains full background information for this consultation. You may find it useful to read or refer to while responding.
Useful information about responding to this consultation
As you complete your response, each page will provide the option to 'Save and come back later' at the bottom. This means you can save your progress and return to the consultation at any time before it closes. If you don't use this feature and leave the consultation midway through, your response will be lost.
Once you have submitted your response, you can enter your email address to get a pdf copy of your answers sent to you.
On the 'About You' page at the end of this consultation, organisations will have the opportunity to tell us more about their work and/or how their response was informed.
After the consultation has closed there will be a few months delay before any responses are published. This is because we must check any responses to be published abide by our Terms of Use.
A analysis report will usually be published some months after the consultation has closed. This report will summarise the findings based on all responses submitted. It will be published on the Scottish Government website and you may be notified about it if you choose to share your email address with us. You can also join our consulation mailing list where we regularly list newly published analysis reports (as well as new consultations).
Engagement Events
A programme of engagement is underway to support the consultation and provide the opportunity to join the discussion and share views.
Opportunity to get involved
The views of people with experience of care are important in considering next steps in these areas of work. A series of online workshops for people with lived experience are being held throughout January and into February 2025.
The purpose of these workshops is to provide the opportunity for people who have been through the care system and have experience of care to share their views and feedback on the consultation. The workshops will also cover the wider consultation process, set out why these areas are being consulted on and the areas of work that this is contributing towards to keep the Promise.
We are seeking to create a safe space where people feel comfortable to share their views and join the discussion during these workshops, and understand that everyone has an individual experience of care which is unique to them.
To sign up, please select one of the links below –
Fri 7 Feb 2025 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM - Listening to the Voice of Lived Experience - Developing a Universal Definition of ‘Care Experience’
If you would like any further information please contact us on keepingthepromiseconsultations@gov.scot.
Why your views matter
A definition provides a collective understanding of the meaning of a word or phrase. A universal definition would mean that there is a single description that everyone understands to be the meaning of a word or phrase.
The Promise tells us that the term ‘care experience’ has meaning for many people and that it can be helpful as an understanding of personal identity. As well as providing a sense of identity, there are existing supports and entitlements available to people with care experience, particularly young people with care experience.
We want you to play a key role in how we develop a universal, commonly understood definition of ‘care experience’.
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