Care experienced young people
There are an increasing number of opportunities for care experienced young people in Aberdeen to share their voice and lived experience to make care experience better. The ACE (Aberdeen Care Experienced) Network is one way that care experienced young people are empowered to participate, influence and make change in the city.
What is ACE? - ACE stands for Aberdeen Care Experienced
It is a network which supports children, young people, and young adults with care experience to connect, participate and discuss issues that matter to them. The ACE network aims to support you to influence and make positive changes and enjoy doing so.
Issues are brought to Corporate Parents to ensure that your voice and lived experience is heard, included, and acted upon.
What do you mean by care experienced?
The ACE network is available to you if you are a child, young person, or young adult up to the age of 26 who is or has been care experienced at some point in your life. This might include living or having lived:
- at home with social work support
- in kinship care with family or friends (Kinship | Aberdeen City Council)
- in foster care (Fostering | Aberdeen City Council)
- in residential care (Our Childrens Homes | Aberdeen City Council)
- in secure care
- in adoption (Adoption | Aberdeen City Council)
What is a network?
ACE is not a group as such – it is a gathering for belonging. Developing a sense of belonging and participation which builds your confidence and skills is a big part of the ACE network.
ACE does not mean that you must attend a group – rather it is about participating in ways which suit you best. This could mean that you come along to groups or discussions, or participate and share your experiences, views, and voice through other ACE activities online, via social media, phone, a visit in your home, or any other ways that work for you.
This means that participation and voice can be promoted in ways that people feel most comfortable with, and which reach out across more people than just those who come along to a group gathering.
What do you mean by ‘Voice’?
‘Voice’ describes real involvement. When talking about ‘voice’, this means not only what might be said but also what might be communicated in non-verbal ways through, for example body language, and gestures.
You might prefer to communicate in ways that aren’t just about ‘speaking’ for example you might express your voice through drawings, photographs, videos, or lyrics.
What is important is that you have opportunities to participate in ways you can engage with and understand. This help build your awareness of opportunities, events, and services. These should support you to express your voice and to receive information, as best suits your communication needs and preferences.
To get in touch
For all enquiries about ACE and care experienced participation and engagement contact:
Carmen Benton
Participation and Engagement Officer for Care Experience Young People (CEYP)
Phone : 07484 004966
Email : cbenton@aberdeencity.gov.uk
Westburn Resource Centre
116 Westburn Road
Aberdeen
AB25 2QA
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