Aberlour's response to The 'Promise Bill'
We welcome the passing of the Children’s (Care, Care Experience and Services Planning) (Scotland) Bill (the ‘Promise’ Bill).
In 2020 Scotland made a pledge to children, young people and families to do all we can to keep families together and where this is not possible, to provide the best care so all children can thrive.
Aberlour is committed to delivering The Promise, ensuring all children and young people across Scotland experience being safe and loved.
Improvements to the Children’s Hearing System, establishing the right to lifelong advocacy and extending aftercare provision to all those who left care before their 16th birthday will all help to improve the lives of care experienced children and young people in Scotland.
During the development and scrutiny of the Bill we were pleased to be able to reflect the views and experiences of children, young people and families at Aberlour and we know these changes will make a difference.
However, we know that this Bill will not in and of itself help Keep the Promise to Scotland’s children, young people and families.
There will be more to do in the next Parliamentary session if we are to stay on track to meet our ambition of Keeping the Promise by 2030.
That’s why, ahead of the Scottish Parliamentary elections, we are calling on all political parties to commit to Keep The Promise.
This must include working together to guarantee the necessary legislative and policy changes that will continue to drive our shared ambition.
That must mean ensuring the capacity and resource across the workforce to effectively support those who support children, young people and families.
Significant investment must follow to support local authorities, social work and third sector to meet their duties to protect, respect and fulfil the rights of all care experienced children and young people across Scotland.
Lynne O'Brien
Aberlour Chief Officer