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“Having a role like Depute Head Girl in the school and being care experienced does say a lot to other young people in the school. The difference I'm hoping to make as Depute Head Girl is showing that just because you are care experienced, does not mean you can't do anything.”

Cheyanne who is Depute Head Girl at Dunoon Grammar is just one of �������� and Bute’s care experienced young people who is keen to encourage others to develop their skills to become more confident. 

As part of Care Experience Week 2025, �������� and Bute Council has reaffirmed its commitment to delivering positive outcomes for care experienced children and young people. This includes continuing to deliver The Promise, Scottish Government’s pledge which sets out the commitment to improve the experiences of and opportunities available to care experienced children, young people and their families across Scotland. Its aim being to ensure every child in Scotland grows up loved, safe and respected and able to realise its full potential.

�������� and Bute Council was one of the first authorities to deliver Education Scotland’s ‘I Promise’ Award, a professional learning programme supporting anyone working with care experienced children and young people. The programme aims to raise awareness and provide vital support to some of the barriers they may face in life. The Council’s Chief Officers Group was the first local authority senior leadership team in Scotland to receive the We Promise Award. This includes the Chief Executive of �������� and Bute Council, Executive Directors and all Heads of Service.

�������� and Bute Council has a dedicated Care Experience Education Team that includes a Virtual Head Teacher for Care Experienced Children and Young People and four Health and Wellbeing Family Liaison Officers who liaise directly with young people, schools, families and partner agencies to help increase attendance, school engagement and attainment, leading to better outcomes.

Cheyanne explained how the role of Head Girl has helped her grow in confidence:

“I initially applied to be a House Captain as I thought being Head Girl or School Captain would be too much responsibility for me. When I found out I got the Depute Head Girl position, I was sat with my whole year group and when I saw my name, I was shocked as I hadn't applied for that role but it showed to me that the teachers really did have my back and supported me. I was really happy when I found out. “I would like show other young people that may be care experienced or other young people in general that you should go for a role like this as it does really help you develop skills like speaking up for yourself.

“I think having this role has taught me new skills like leadership and being able to voice my opinions which is good because I never used to do that before. I thought I would go to university to become a nurse but I've decided to go to college and get my HND in childcare so I can work in a school. I've had some teachers here that have really inspired me to do this.

 “'Achieving such an important role has definitely made me feel more confident in in myself, in my ability to work with my peers and teachers and knowing how to speak up for myself and voice my opinions.”

Following on from introducing additional measures to help care experienced young people, the Council is seeing positive results in both attainment and attendance. 

• School attendance rates of care experienced pupils are the highest they had been in the last five years for �������� and Bute
• For the second consecutive year, no care experienced child or young person was excluded from school.
• The National 5 A-C pass rate for care experienced young people increased from 48% in 2024 to 62% in 2025.
• The National 5 A-D pass rate for care experienced young people increased from 74% in 2024 to 82% in 2025.
• The Higher A-C pass rate for care experienced young people increased from 33% in 2024 to 72% in 2025.
• The Higher A-D pass rate for care experienced young people increased from 71% in 2024 to 76% in 2025.

Councillor Audrey Forrest, Policy Lead for Education: “Cheyanne is a fantastic ambassador and role model for care experienced children and young people across �������� and Bute and a great example of what is possible with the right support. As part of our ongoing commitment to The Promise, we are fully focused as we continue to enhance the support we provide for our care experienced children and young people across �������� and Bute. 

“Our aim, via funding from the Care Experienced Children and Young People Fund, is to provide them with the best opportunities to achieve their educational ambitions and the best possible outcomes in their future lives and careers. This approach is delivering positive results thanks to the work of the education team, the school community and the determination of our young people. Thank you to everyone involved for making a real difference.”