Final Stage 2 debate takes place for Children (Care, Care Experience and Services Planning) (Scotland) Bill
Today – February 18 2026 – was the final Stage 2 debate of the Children (Care, Care Experience and Services Planning) (Scotland) Bill.
The robust cross-party engagement in both Stage 2 debates is a clear indicator of sustained commitment to keeping the promise, and an understanding that the push for change must continue.
We are pleased to see amendments pass in many important areas, including:
- the right to return to care
- earlier access to advocacy for children
- support for kinship carers
- defining of independent advocacy
- a requirement to consider the availability of child-centred legal advice and representation.
We are also pleased to hear the Minister's indication that amendments will be brought forward in Stage 3 relating to restraint in care settings and Family Group Decision Making, which are key areas of improvement needed to keep the promise.
Read about amendments passed in the first Stage 2 debate.
Read our Stage 2 briefings on our legislation page.
Keeping the promise requires collaboration
The changes proposed are significant, and many won't be straightforward to implement. Keeping the promise requires collaboration. We will continue to work with Scottish Government & MSPs to build on cross-party engagement, and consider what improvements must be made in order to embed sustainable change.
Watch the second Stage 2 debate of this Bill on the Scottish Parliament website.