Care Leavers App reaches Scotland!

A new client to partner with is always an exciting event here at the focusgov headquarters so we are thrilled to welcome North Ayrshire council, especially as we can now celebrate reaching Scotland!

The local authority have wisely identified our Care Leavers App as the perfect support tool on which to publish information, advice and guidance. Not only can it help them meet new duties but it strengthens their corporate parenting skills by providing their young people with 24/7 access to useful information, local events, activities and helpful organisations.

In the very early stages of a care leavers app project we host an engagement session. This is a key stage in the design process and an opportunity for care experienced young people to tell us what they need and want from the app.

In these upbeat sessions that involve unscripted prompting, I encourage conversation and discussion around fonts, colour palettes, tone, app icons, app functionality, accessibility and more. Then there are the tangents that usually end in fits of laughter but they could be a whole other blog!

On the surface it may seem like chitchat which is exactly how I want it to feel to the wonderful young people who take part, that way they are more relaxed and forthcoming with ideas and suggestions. All the while though, I am paying close and particular attention to their emotional reactions to subjects and their connotations as well as the common themes that emerge among the different engagement sessions. I am searching for meaning in their responses. What they are are actually saying and the true need they are expressing.

A real highlight to come of the session with North Ayrshire is that the young people themselves are keen to design their own app logo. Grand artistic skills are not required for this, we can digitalise their idea even if it’s scribbled on a napkin - just as Rowling’s idea for Harry Potter was!
I also felt that this group had a sense of pride. A pride in their local authority and in being care experienced, which seems to develop a unique emotional maturity sometimes missing in others their age.

After a project briefing it’s easy for a designer’s mind to brim with creative ideas which will no doubt produce stylish results, but it’s even easier to mistake this for being ready to commence design.
Without communicating with and learning about the intended users, the app will simply be an embodiment of the designer’s assumptions.
Focusgov’s approach to providing digital solutions ensures that our products and services will always be a result of the needs of clients and end users and I can’t wait to help actualise those of North Ayrshire council and their care experienced young people.

If you've enjoyed this blog and want to read about other engagement sessions you may enjoy my Ealing Council engagement session blog.