Our flagship programme, Mindset in Education, has proven impact in supporting school staff to help children change how they feel about their ability and how they deal with problems and setbacks.
Building on this experience and track record, and through conversations with partners during and since the Independent Care Review and publication of The Promise, we have developed ‘Mindset in Care’ with the ambition of creating a growth mindset culture in the care system, just as we are in education.
Our plan is to deliver growth mindset professional learning to staff in the care sector, at operational and leadership level, with a long-term view towards creating a sustainable growth mindset culture in the care sector.
Mindset in Care will upskill the most significant adults in a child’s life to offer support and guidance at critical moments. Growth mindset is most pertinent when a person is struggling - knowing how to overcome setbacks and emerge stronger and more resilient will fortify young people already suffering with disruption and trauma, experiences that can significantly undermine confidence and learning ability. We understand this is a complex system that incorporates a range of settings and roles, which is why our track record in leading change will become essential.
Based on some initial success using growth mindset in care in Dundee, a pilot will take place across five care settings in Dundee in 2022. We are working in close partnership with Dundee City Council to deliver the pilot, with financial support from the Northwood Charitable Trust.
We are engaging closely with experienced leaders and practitioners from the sector to develop a high quality and relevant programme. They include:
Fiona Low (Dundee City Council, education officer responsible for care-experienced and vulnerable persons/edge of care)
Bobby Jones (independent coach/consultant and network coordinator for Champions Boards across Scotland on behalf of The Life Changes Trust)
Jimmy Paul (Director or WEALL Scotland, formerly CELCIS)
Heather Coady (independent consultant focused on system-change)
If the pilot is successful, our intention is to expand Mindset in Care into care settings across other areas of Scotland.
“We’ve seen a noticeable change, even from one [mindset] session. It’s changed a number of the team’s mindsets. It’s another thing in the toolbox that we can use to help our young people think about their options. We’re still talking about it six months down the line – everyone mentioned it as a worthwhile activity in their performance evaluations.” Leisa McQuade, House Depute at The Junction, Dundee
"Understanding growth mindset helped me gain confidence, reduce my anxiety and be more accepting. Thinking about the future now, it’s still nerve wracking and fearful, however I am not going to hide from the challenge and I can definitely see more of a future. I’m more confident and starting to re-integrate into society. I now understand that there will be ups and downs and setbacks in life, but I know it’s a gradual process. I wouldn’t have had this attitude two years ago." Care experienced young person
more about mindset
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Mindset Teams course descriptor for 2021-22 academic session
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Growth mindset is building the confidence of Dundee pupils
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Growth mindset to boost pupil resilience
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Mindset Teams Impact Report 2021
Mindset Teams continues to create impact during pandemic - infographic
