We are very pleased to support the publication Accessing Records in Scotland, a new report which brings together findings about what it is like for people with care experience to access their records.
Researched and written by Aberdeen City Council, the Champions Board of West Dunbartonshire Council, The City of Edinburgh Council, Future Pathways, Social Work Scotland and Who Cares? Scotland, the report focuses on what people with care experience tell us about the Right of Access. It also makes key recommendations for how the process can be improved so that anyone who chooses to access their records in future can do so in a way that is safe and supported.
The Right of Access gives each of us the right to obtain a copy of our personal data from any organisation which holds information about us. Accessing records can be particularly significant to people with care experience: records can provide information about their past which would otherwise be unavailable.
This new report was made possible by participants with care experience who generously gave their time, knowledge and insights so that we might all gain a better understanding of how things are now and where changes need to be made. People described the deep personal significance of their records, that they contributed to forging, understanding and asserting their identities. It is essential, therefore, that services recognise why records are important to people with care experience.
It is also crucial that organisations understand how the process of accessing records can also have a serious impact. It is a significant decision for someone to choose to seek information about their time in care and the experience can be highly emotional at each stage, from the decision to make a request, to the process of receiving records, to reading them. People have described how important it is to feel informed, listened to, safe and supported throughout the process.
The process for people is significantly improved when there is good communication, access to support and full explanation from the record holders. It is essential that people are supported at each stage. The report aims to create a foundation for developing a consistent, trauma-informed, rights-based framework for anyone responding to Rights of Access requests.
Many people supported by Future Pathways seek support for record searches and it is consistently one of the most access forms of support from our Delivery Partners. We have supported over 750 people (around a third of people we support) to access their records by working with Delivery Partners, such as Birthlink and Wellbeing Scotland, who help to identify and find records, compile records, and support people throughout the process.
Future Pathways supports the recommendations made in this report. We believe accessing records is part of ongoing care; policy and practice must meet the needs of people with care experience. Clear and accessible information is essential – anyone who chooses to access their records must be supported to feel informed and empowered. We know that records can contribute to building identity and form part of the journey towards trauma recovery. Therefore, underpinning the process of accessing records must be a trauma-informed, person-centred approach that reflects choice, collaboration, trust, empowerment and safety.
We encourage all services, organisations and practitioners who are involved in working with people with care experience, record searches and trauma recovery to read this report. You will hear the voices of people with care experience throughout. Their insights into this key issue are fundamental in generating awareness, understanding and, ultimately, change.
You can view and download Accessing Records in Scotland from Social Work Scotland website here. Both a full report and shortform version are available. We encourage you to share this with your peers and networks.
Smyllum was an orphanage in North Lanark, where many children experienced abuse from the Daughters of Charity who ran the institution.
Each year, INCAS supports a memorial service for the deceased children of Smyllum and all children who have died while in care.
This year, the memorial service will be held on Saturday 3 August at 1pm, at St Mary’s Cemetery in Lanark.
If arriving early, some survivors meet in Valeros Cafe on the High Street before the service.
After the service, a light lunch will be provided. The venue for this will be announced at the end of the service.
INCAS welcome all who may wish to attend this private memorial. However, in order to provide catering on the day, please do let INCASE know if you are attending. Send a short message to Helen on 07960 993444.
Richard shares his wonderful poem about nature.
Why is life not like a chestnut tree?
The Chestnut Tree…
Forty feet tall branches scattered in countless directions,
even more Leaves of different size and
Shades of Brown and Gold.
The Strength and Power of time has made you
Strong and Beautiful.
Birds from the Blue Ocean above perch on carefully
chosen branches;
The Blackbird – Chaffinch – Magpie
Woodpigeon – and Starlings.
They all come to gossip about their families.
Bees hum, a Hoverfly examines a branch, Caterpillars crawl
carefully here and there, a Red Admiral flutters through
Branches wondering where to land trying to keep away from
all those predators.
All this Menagerie finds some shelter from the Rain and
Wind from this magnificent stature of Wood and Leaves.
All the Clouds but one moves away to somewhere else.
The gentle patter of Rain stops.
The Sun peeks from the side of
a ball of cotton wool to say,
“Hello, I’m here to bring Sunshine into your Heart.”
The Chestnuts, clusters of mace bet on each other to see
who will fall to the Ground first.
On the Ground, the Hands and Fingers of Roots are spread
over the Grass, Twigs and Stones.
The Air of Wind returns moving this gentle giant to and fro,
the Branches Crackle and Creak.
The Sunlight flickers through and between the Leaves
creating Shadow and Movement.
And then, and then, a Chestnut fell, bouncing off the Grass
just in time to be spotted by a Red Squirrel.
Its big bushy tail radiant from the Sun’s kiss.
Another fell, another bounced watched eagerly by the
others from the branches above.
Later on in the day the Sun flew away, a cloth of black
velvet sprinkled with diamonds graced us with its presence
admiring the tree.
The Moon cast its Ambient Light on Branches and Trees.
Silence fell. The Wind disappeared.
Silence, quiet, stillness.
Suddenly, a White Bird appeared, its Heart Shaped Face,
Its beautiful Dark Eyes its magnificent Wingspan landed on
A branch almost halfway from the ground, watching,
listening.
Behind this glorious creature are more Branches, more
Leaves and the Big Pearl of Light.
Chestnut Tree,
What have you seen?
What have you heard?
What do you know?
A whisper of answers gently fell into the air.
Why is Life not like a Chestnut Tree?
Future Pathways supported Chris to develop his skills in DJing. Here, he tells us all about his musical journey.
Chris first got into DJing in 1991 while living in Leeds. He first came across the music scene in 1988 when he took a trip to London. This is where he first listened to Centre Force, a pirate radio station that played 24-hour rave music. During this trip, he went to a warehouse party and this gave him his first proper taste of the acid house scene and rave music.
‘I loved the openness, the vibe, being able to chat to anyone in a non-judgmental environment. For someone who had been through trauma, it was a place where you did not have to explain yourself and you could just be free. It didn’t matter who you were, what you were wearing. Everyone shared everything with complete strangers.’
He later moved to Leeds and started buying records. He got introduced to a friend of a friend who had a slot on the local pirate radio station. Chris started hanging out at the station and at the after-hours blues clubs dotted around Chapeltown. He was then offered his own slot at the radio station and played at most of the blues clubs. He also played a couple of gigs at The Music Factory, one of the most well-known clubs in Leeds, known as the home of B2B Back to Basics.
‘It wasn’t just the music, it was the vibe that was intriguing to me. I got really into the underground side of the scene.’
Chris moved around a lot so ended up selling or losing a lot of his records and gave up DJing. But last year, he decided to get back to it.
By this time, the scene had moved from using vinyl records to digital equipment. So, Chris had to learn to use this new technology. Future Pathways supported Chris to develop his skills and access the tools he needed. Chris’s Support Coordinator at Future Pathways was there to guide him.
‘It has been a massive thing for me that someone is there and takes the time to listen. She gets my story. For me, it’s not just the service, it’s the connection with the person you’re being supported by. To have someone who is open and helpful in guiding you to the services that might help you, that’s the key thing.’
Chris was able to access new tracks to use in his mixes. He also had time at Pirate Studios in Edinburgh. This gave him the chance to practice using club equipment which gave him more confidence.
‘It has been great using the equipment and learning. It has been a great learning curve.’
Making music also boosts Chris’s mental health and wellbeing.
‘DJing has been such a healing thing. I get into my zone. I also love seeing people’s reactions to the music that I play. Having time away from everything takes my mind away from things that are going on around me. It takes you away because you can’t think of that while you’re doing something you have to concentrate on.’
Chris now has a weekly slot on Trax Radio UK. It is the oldest independent dance music station in the UK.
‘You do it from your own room but you are streaming it to the audience. It is a fab thing. It is an indication of how well DJing is going for me. If you weren’t any good, they wouldn’t have you on, especially on a primetime slot like a Friday evening. So that is really big for me, I am really chuffed.’
Chris also plays at St Andrews Brewing at Caird Hall in Dundee.
‘I got asked to do some sets before Christmas and they went down a storm. It was four hours long which was intense. But they loved it. And they’ve booked me now for the next few months.’
Chris also had an exciting trip to Dundee Dance Event in May. It was the largest event in the UK for up-and-coming DJs. This year, Chris had two sets there. He also has more events coming up.
‘I’ve been invited to go down to Stoke and play with legend Daz Wilcot and Awesome 3, who were a huge PA. I also have a gig at Dundee Pride in the dance tent.’
Chris has plans for his future too.
‘I’m a big fan of seeing people dance and seeing people happy. I hope to make contacts with clubs and get my music out there a bit more. It’s definitely getting there.’