11:45 - 13:00

The Impact of Transition In and Out of the (COVID-19) Pandemic for Care Experienced Young People

Care experienced young people are some of the most vulnerable in society due to their experience of complex trauma, deprivation and multiple placement moves.

Recently, the Scottish government launched the Promise Implementation Plan to prioritise the needs of this group, with a focus specifically on care leavers and their health and wellbeing after they have left full-time education. 

Historically, the continuity of health care services for care leavers has been difficult to sustain after they leave school. At this point they often disengage from health services and sometimes do not reconnect with health services until they access adult mental health, substance misuse or maternity services.

Throughout the (COVID-19) pandemic, NHS Tayside has been working hard to build service pathways with health and social work partners to build relationships with care leavers at 14 years and to offer ongoing health support until their 26th birthday.

In this presentation, delegates will hear how the nurses from the Care Experienced Young People’s Service (CEYPS) built and sustained relationships with young people during the pandemic and how this learning  was used to further develop the service.