Scotland House Project Success

Posted 15th October 2024

House Project Success as Who Cares? Scotland Celebrates 10-Year Anniversary of Children and Young People (Scotland) Act with Inaugural Corporate Parenting Awards.

In a landmark event to mark the 10th anniversary of the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014, Who Cares? Scotland hosted its first ever Corporate Parenting Awards, celebrating the achievements of organisations dedicated to supporting Care Experienced young people. The event in Glasgow recognised outstanding contributions across several categories, with East Dunbartonshire and Midlothian House Projects winning awards in three areas.

 

The Excellence in Innovation award was proudly claimed by the East Dunbartonshire Health and Social Care Partnership for their transformative House Project. Within the nomination, young people expressed feeling "supported and safe," praising the transparency and honesty of the staff.

Midlothian Council were a double winner, taking home the Outstanding Corporate Parent and Stable Foundations awards for the development of their House Project. One young person reflected on their journey saying:

"All of the opportunities I have been given have helped me to become the person that I am today. I am responsible for my own tenancy, I am learning to budget better, I have my own cats."

The Stable Foundations award recognised the part played by Midlothian Champions Board in raising awareness about the housing challenges faced by Care Experienced young people. This led to a successful bid to Life Changes Trust to implement the House Project approach in Midlothian. The success of the project has led to it becoming fully integrated into Midlothian’s Children’s Services and being part of their permanent offer. The Project’s success has been highlighted by both Crisis and the Scottish Throughcare and Aftercare Forum (STAF).

The Corporate Parenting Awards 2024 was a celebration of the past decade of progress under the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act but also as an inspiration for the future.

Sue Hammersley, Director at NHP said

"We are extremely proud of the staff and young people from East Dunbartonshire and Midlothian who are part of the House Project community. Local House Project staff work tirelessly to support young people to develop the skills and confidence that enables them to live in their own homes, be in jobs and education and have positive friendships and relationships. They develop long term positive relationships with young people enabling them to feel cared about and supported into the future."

The achievements of East Dunbartonshire and Midlothian highlights the success of the House Project approach in Scotland.

Well done to young people, the Local House Project Teams and the very supportive colleagues, managers and councillors across Midlothian and East Dunbartonshire.