Held at the council’s headquarters, the event was planned and delivered by the South Lanarkshire Champions Board, reflecting a commitment to ensuring care‑experienced young people play an active role in shaping the decisions and services that affect their lives.

Paul Manning, Chief Executive of South Lanarkshire Council, said: “Care Day is the world’s largest international celebration of children and young people with care experience.

“This is the fourth year we have been able to deliver such a large event, reflecting on the last year and the work of the Champions Board.”

The Champions Board brings together care‑experienced young people to influence local decision‑making and contribute directly to work being taken forward by community planning partners as part of South Lanarkshire’s commitment to The Promise.

Stephanie Kimmet, the council’s Promise Development Worker, said: “This event celebrates the progress made over the past year and the leadership the Champions continue to develop.

“They challenge professionals constructively and play a vital role in shaping improvement across South Lanarkshire.”

Care Day also highlights the collective work being undertaken across partners to ensure care experienced young people are supported, valued and prepared to face life’s challenges on an equal and positive footing.

Professor Soumen Sengupta, Chief Officer for Health and Social Care in South Lanarkshire, said: “Listening to the experiences and insights shared by young people today was both powerful and inspiring, and it reinforces the importance of continuing to develop how we work alongside them so that they can and do grow in confidence and independence.

“My thanks go to all of our staff and partners, and most importantly to the young people themselves, whose honesty, leadership and determination continue to drive real change.”

The film below shows some of the work taking place between the council and Barnado's to help care experienced young people settle into their own homes: