Care Leavers' Law Service

We set up the Care Leavers' Law Service (CLLS) in response to the issues we noticed in our legal casework where care leavers' rights have not been respected. We use the law to help care leavers realise their rights and challenge decision makers when they do not meet their legal duty towards care leavers.

Representation for care experienced young people

The CLLS provides legal advice and representation to young people up to the age of 26 with experience of being in care.

You can phone us for free on 0808 129 0522 or get in touch through our contact form. You will get a quick, friendly response to your enquiry and a member of our team will provide you with helpful information or arrange for you to speak to or meet with one of our solicitors.

Information for people who supports care experienced young people

Anyone who supports care leavers are welcome to call us on 0808 129 0522 to speak to one of our solicitors right away to get help and guidance.

Training for people who supports care experienced young people

We provide practical training and step-by-step guidance to those working with and supporting care leavers so they can help care leavers to assert their rights and easily access legal help where it’s needed.

Webinars and Toolkits

We have created various resources to assist young people and the people who support them.

Together with CELCIS (the Centre for Excellence for Children’s Care and Protection) and the Care Inspectorate, we have written a Practice Note to help explain the rights of looked after young people to stay put in positive care placements after they leave care.

To access our webinar and toolkits on care leavers' rights, please click here.

Further Information

For more information on the Care Leavers' Law service please contact Micheál Phelan (Project Coordinator) on 07483 085 576 or email [email protected].

If you are an English care-leaver, please click here for a list of organisations that work in England.

The Care Leavers' Law Service is funded by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation.

Latest

Update on the UNCRC Bill

Yesterday the Scottish Government announced how it plans to bring the UNCRC Bill within the Scottish Parliament’s devolved powers following the Supreme Court ruling in October 2021.
Continuing Care, implementation, and the gap in rights protection

Legal Policy Manager Katy Nisbet writes about the importance of the right to Continuing Care and considers Clan Childlaw's role in helping children to access their rights.
Housing Rights and After Care

7 June 2022, 10.00 - 15.00. This training is provided as part of Clan Childlaw’s work to end youth homelessness. It will be of interest to anyone working with care experienced children and young people, including housing advisers, social workers, carers, and advocacy & support workers.
SOLD OUT - Housing Rights - Private rented sector

15 June 2022. 10.00 - 13.00 This free half day workshop will focus on the rights of private sector tenants. The workshop will be led by two expert lawyers, Mary-Claire Kelly from Clan Childlaw and Vicki Pirie from Shelter Scotland.

Access to Records
What changes will the Children (Scotland) Act 2020 make for children and young people?

The Children (Scotland) Act 2020 improves legal protection for children's right to be heard in courts and children's hearings and their right to a family life with their brothers and sisters - this blog explains the changes it will make
What we do

Clan Childlaw is Scotland's law centre for children and young people. We protect and strengthen children’s rights and improve their lives.
Changes to the Law for Brothers and Sisters

On 26 July 2021, the law changed on what local authorities and Children’s Hearings have to do to support brothers and sisters.
Sibling rights

We have long called for the law to be changed to prioritise care experienced children and young people's sibling relationships and are delighted that these changes are now law
Current Vacancies

We do not currently have any vacancies at Clan Childlaw.
Are you a child or young person without British citizenship? Here’s some advice on how to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme

Children and young people, including care leavers, must apply to the EU Settlement scheme if they are an EU, EEA or Swiss national. The deadline to apply is 30 June 2021.
UNCRC in Scotland: What does the UK Government’s legal challenge mean?

Our Legal Policy Manager Janet Cormack explains what has happened so far with UNCRC in Scotland and what could happen next.
Child law case summaries

Summaries of cases undertaken by Clan Childlaw.
Law student essay competition

To mark our 10-year anniversary, we asked law students around Scotland: What is the biggest children’s rights issue in Scotland and how can the law be used to resolve it? Congratulations to winner Michael Malvenda!