‘Promise’ to children in care at risk of not being kept

The “Promise” to improve the lives of children and young people in care is not on track to be met, a report from the oversight board has concluded.

Progress on meeting the Promise has been delayed by “unexpected events” and “systemic barriers”, meaning that five years into its 10-year timeline, it is “not halfway to being kept”.

The board said it was “still possible” to meet the overarching 2030 target of ensuring care-experienced children grow up loved, safe and respected.

But it has warned this ambition is at risk because some parts of the system are “not yet doing enough”.

The Promise was made by former first minister Nicola Sturgeon in 2020, following a three-year review of the care system.

The independent care review concluded it was a “fractured, bureaucratic and unfeeling” system which was failing to give children a good foundation.

On the day of its release, Sturgeon said she was “committed” to turning its vision for an improved care system into reality.

However, five years on the Promise Oversight Board has said objectives set for 2024 “remain unmet”, there was “significant variation” across the country, and the plan dated for 2021-24 has not been fully delivered.

The report found workforce problems have impacted the provision of whole-family support, including for issues relating to housing and support with kinship, adoption and foster carers.

It said short-term funding cycles in the sector meant the workforce was having to spend less time on providing support in order to secure funding, and also pointed to issues with social work recruitment and retention.

Board chair David Anderson said: “What we need now is action around spending decisions; bravery to do things differently; to count what matters rather than what is easy or politically palatable. 

“Some people, some organisations, and some systems are not yet doing enough, and this risks the country as a whole failing to deliver the Promise.”

He added that while delivery is “behind schedule”, progress made so far and continued commitments to improvement meant it was still possible to fulfil the Promise.

Positive changes highlighted by the report include improvements on keeping siblings in care together and the new national minimum recommended allowance for foster and kinship carers.

The Scottish Government has reiterated its commitment to keeping the Promise, with minister Natalie Don-Innes pointing to progress in reducing the number of looked-after children, investment in family support, and the recent ban on under 18s going to young offender institutions.

The children’s minister added: “Ministers have listened to people with care experience and their insights will continue to inform our approach to shaping the Promise Bill, which will be introduced before the end of this parliamentary term.”