Congratulations to the care experienced community, the communities that care for them, the organisations that support them and decision-makers committed to #KeepingThePromise on the passing of the Children (Care, Care Experience and Services Planning) (Scotland) Bill.
We know that the families we work with can see tangible benefits from this Bill, if it is implemented right.
During the final debate of the Bill, two things were abundantly clear: First, more needs to be done in legislation, practice, and planning to keep The Promise by 2030. And it needs investment. Second, a strong cross-party commitment to continue this work to improve the lives of the care community and make Scotland a country where all children grow up loved, safe, and respected.
The Minister recently announced a review of the current legislative landscape as part of wider reforms to simplify the legal framework to improve consistency and access to entitlements for care experienced children, young people and those that care for them.
We particularly welcome the right to independent advocacy as it is now defined and thank partners who ensured that independent advocacy is available to all care experienced people to ensure they are aware of their rights and are supported to access them.
Many of the families we work with are kinship carers and provision for assessments for support will make a difference to kinship families across the country, provided that implementation is supported by adequate investment and awareness raising.
Our work with young people who have experience of police custody tells us that police stations are no places for children. We are in strong support of the amendments brought to ensure children are no longer required to be brought to police stations and will offer our support to the Scottish Government and partners to develop alternatives that provide a trauma-informed, safe alternative that meets the needs of children.
We thank MSPs from across the chamber and the Minister for Children and Young People and The Promise for their work on the Bill and look forward to working with the next Scottish Parliament and Scottish Government as we strive towards meeting The Promise by 2030.
