Nicola Sturgeon Advocates for Care Improvement at SNP Conference

Former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon emphasized the critical need to deliver on the Promise aimed at improving the lives of young people with experience of care. Speaking at a fringe event during the Scottish National Party (SNP) conference in Aberdeen, she stated it would be “unthinkable” not to fulfill this commitment. Sturgeon acknowledged the current legislation, known as the Children (Care, Care Experience and Services Planning) (Scotland) Bill, does not encompass all desired changes but urged support for its passage.

Sturgeon’s comments come as part of a broader effort to address the needs of young people who have been in care. She stressed the importance of not becoming complacent, stating, “We are making progress but we absolutely cannot be complacent.” The former first minister highlighted that achieving the Promise by the end of this decade requires a more accelerated approach.

During the event, Ryan McShane, a member of The Oversight Board with personal experience of the care system, voiced his concerns regarding the Bill. He described it as “too narrow” and urged the Scottish Government to consider delaying its implementation to expand the measures that would better assist young people in care. “The Bill has got stuff in it that can change people’s lives but there’s not enough in it,” he remarked.

In a similar vein, Ethan Mulhall, representing Who Cares? Scotland, pointed out the potential risks of rushing the Bill. He noted that while it marks the beginning of delivering the Promise, it raises concerns that it comes five years after the initial commitment was made.

Sturgeon defended the legislation, acknowledging its limitations but asserting that it includes valuable components that can make a difference. “This Bill doesn’t have everything that everybody wants to see. Everyone can see that and I would readily acknowledge that but it does have some really good stuff,” she stated. The former first minister urged Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) to pass the current Bill and consider additional changes following the upcoming elections in May.

Further complicating the delivery of the Promise, a report from the Auditor General and the Accounts Commission indicated that the Scottish Government and local councils had not adequately planned for the necessary actions to achieve the Promise. The report expressed concern that initial planning lacked clarity regarding resource allocation and metrics for measuring success over a ten-year period.

“Delivery of the Promise requires a partnership approach across a wide range of bodies spanning national and local government,” the report stated. It highlighted the slow progress made since the launch of the Promise project in March 2020 by Sturgeon, which aimed to enhance the outcomes for young people in care.

The report also noted that the lack of a coherent framework to track progress hindered efforts until late last year. “Initial planning for the Promise by the Scottish Government and Cosla did not give sufficient thought to the work that would be needed to deliver its aims,” it concluded.

In response to the report’s findings, a joint statement from involved organizations, including the Scottish Government and the local authority body Cosla, emphasized their commitment to the Promise and acknowledged the need for serious reflection on the findings presented.

As Sturgeon prepares to leave her role as an MSP, her advocacy for the Promise remains a key focus. The dialogue surrounding the Bill and its implications for young people in care continues, with stakeholders urging a more comprehensive approach to ensure meaningful change.