Transforming Friendship Focused Support

The Hub for SUCCESS had the amazing opportunity to work alongside a partnership of care experienced researchers, throughcare and aftercare workers, and staff from the Universities of Edinburgh and Stirling, to complete a research project into friendship support for care experienced people.

What is this project about?

This is a research project about friendship and care experience. It involves care experienced people, and throughcare and aftercare workers, being supported by a small team from STAF, the Universities of Edinburgh and Stirling, Aberdeenshire Council, and the Hub for SUCCESS.

The aim is to find better ways of supporting the friendships of people with care experience. We are doing research together, then developing a Framework for Friendship Focused Support and Ideas for Change materials.

The Framework, and the materials we design to go with it, will help everyone in the ‘care system’ better understand the importance of friendship, and give them practical ideas and strategies for the best ways to support friendship.

Why is it important?

Most people value friendship in their lives, and find comfort, support and happiness in these relationships. However, we know from the Independent Care Review in Scotland, we do not always do enough to support the friendships of people with care experience.

As The Promise report (p23) highlights:

“Friendships and relationships with people in the workforce and wider community are important. These relationships may be where children find the love and care they need. Children in care must be actively supported to develop connections and relationships. Relationships must not be prevented by an assumption that children may come to harm and/or face unnecessary risk.”

Thank you to our Hub for SUCCESS associates Daphne McClellan and Robyn Raiker on their extensive work on this project!