Key Definitions
Care Experience
This is a provisional working definition. We are constantly looking at reevaluating our terminology and looking at how we can reach a wider meaning on Care Experience.
Any person who is or who once spent any length of time in their youth or childhood under the provision of the State, or of a Charity, or another organisation tasked with children's provision.
We believe you are care experienced for life — there is no age limit on being care experienced.
We also believe however you may be living right now, after growing up in care, makes you part of this community. If thats living with family, sofa surfing, in a hostel or even in prison — you are still care experienced.
This includes, but is not limited to, if you grew up in any of the following ways:
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A Residential children's home
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"Supported” accommodation
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Foster Care
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Adoption
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Kinship/Guardianship
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Spent time in a secure Unit
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A Care Leaver
If you think we may have missed a particular form of care experience please do get in contact with us.
Care Experienced Community
We understand the care experienced community may not look like a community in the traditional sense. It is the arguably the most diverse and marginalised community to exist across the world. It is made up of every gender, race, religion, disability, class and more. What makes us a community is we all have a shared experience of 'care'.
Care Leaver
The legal status given to a young person aged 16-25 who has spent time in the care of a Local Authority since the age of 14 and were in care on or after their 16th birthday.
Lived Experience
Personal knowledge about the world gained through direct, first-hand involvement in everyday events — rather than through representations constructed by other people.
Corporate Parent
The legal status given to an organisation or person who is responsible for ensuring the wellbeing of care experienced children and young people.
Ally
Someone who helps and supports other people who are part of a group that is treated badly or unfairly, although they are not themselves a member of this group.
Civil Rights
The legal guarantees of a government to provide its citizens with equal opportunities and protections so they are able to participate fully in society without discrimination.