What did our research with the sector conclude?
Care Experienced individuals often face unique challenges in accessing sports due to frequent moves, financial constraints, and the instability of social networks. Providing accessible, inclusive opportunities with a focus on emotional safety and long-term support can make a significant difference.
The following comments, gathered as part of the 2024 research study, reflect the range of perspectives expressed by participants.
- "Young people who have been through the care system often don't feel secure in joining sports clubs. For them, sport needs to be more than just an activity-it has to feel like a safe space."
- "Many Care Experienced youth can't afford the basics-equipment, transport, or club fees. They're interested, but the costs make it impossible. We need subsidies and support so they can get involved."
- "With so many moves, it's hard for these young people to keep up stable friendships or join long-term teams. It makes sports feel temporary, something they can't rely on."
- "Care Experienced youth often benefit greatly from mentorship programs. Having someone they can trust and look up to in sports can make a world of difference."
- "A lot of these young people come in with low self-esteem and lack of confidence. If we can make sports spaces welcoming and encourage them to try, it can be life-changing."
- "Being trauma-informed is crucial when working with care-experienced youth. Coaches and staff need to understand their unique backgrounds and offer encouragement that's both gentle and consistent."
- "For Care Experienced kids, building supportive relationships is essential. Programs that welcome family involvement - even if it's a foster parent or mentor - help create that stability they often miss."
Barriers
Low self-esteem/self-confidence - The 2020 'Right to be Active' report, which sought to understand what helps or stops care-experienced children and young people taking part in sport and physical activity, found that low self-confidence was the most commonly-identified barrier to participation by both young people in care and adults who work with them.[2] sportscotland Corporate Parenting Plan consultation 2024-2027 highlights anxiety in group sessions and not feeling comfortable engaging with new people as challenges faced by Care Experienced young people when taking part in sport.
Instability in social life - Research has found that children in care who undergo frequent placement moves can find it more difficult to maintain stable friendship groups, which can in turn contribute to lower self-efficacy and reduced participation in physical activity.[3]
Cost - Practical issues such as finding transport to and from sports facilities and the financial costs of equipment can make it more difficult for Care Experienced children and young people to participate in sport. These kinds of barriers can also make it more difficult to achieve sustained engagement with a particular club or organisation, particularly if this involves club or membership fees.[4]
Inconsistent schooling - In cases where care-experienced young people have inconsistent schooling due to placement moves, this can cause them to miss out on opportunities to participate in school sports and build sporting skills from a young age, as well as potentially disrupting their learning opportunities more broadly as they proceed through their school years.[5]
Stigma and Trauma - The way people talk about care experience can be challenging, with misconceptions around trauma, neglect, poor parenting and narrow or negative views on the care system itself. There is a need to change this narrative to focus on supporting Care Experienced individuals to thrive with the use of appropriate language. The Each and Every Child Toolkit[6] provides advice on how to communicate about care experience and the care system to counter stigma and discrimination.
Logistical Challenges - When sports participation in clubs or school activities requires parental or guardian consent this can be difficult for children and young people to achieve in a short time frame. This may put stress on the individual or create a barrier to participation.
What we can do about it
Training, awareness, and workforce development
- Being trauma-informed - provide or take part in training on trauma-informed practices, to ensure the sports workforce is well-equipped to create environments of emotional safety and trust for Care Experienced individuals.
- Increase awareness and understanding - work to build awareness about the specific kinds of challenges Care Experienced people can face in relation to sports participation, and how to respond inclusively.
Financial and logistical support
- Provide financial support - where possible, collaborate with local authorities and funding bodies to provide financial support for participation in sport, such as subsidised fees, equipment and travel costs.
- Promote long-term engagement and relationships - promote mentorship, long-term participation, and family-inclusive programmes to build consistency and emotional support for Care Experienced individuals.
Partnerships and collaboration
- Collaborate with care-experienced advocacy groups - build partnerships with Care Experienced advocacy groups and relevant organisations, to help better understand the needs of Care Experienced individuals and provide a direct line of communication to support services.
- Advocacy and policy influence - use your voice to advocate for policies and initiatives that prioritise the inclusion of Care Experienced people in sport, ensuring their voices are represented in decision-making.
Monitoring, evaluation, and role models
- Monitor and evaluate - establish systems to monitor and assess the effectiveness of sports programmes in promoting the well-being of Care Experienced participants, incorporating feedback from key stakeholders.
- Promote positive role models - highlight Care Experienced athletes as role models to help inspire others and combat stigma.
