The Promise Scotland statement on the Education and Gaelic Committee report

This week the Scottish Parliament’s Education and Gaelic Committee published their pre-budget scrutiny report on progress to deliver the promise.

Our Chief Executive Fraser McKinlay shared evidence with the Committee to inform the development of this report, as did David Anderson, chair of the Oversight Board for the promise.

The Committee’s report confirms the importance of sustained, multi-year investment and funding for the promise, support for the workforce and the importance of a preventative approach which includes whole family support. The Committee heard evidence from a number of partners on the need for a stronger approach to supporting children, families and care experienced adults earlier.

The Committee also called for more clarity around implementation, delivery and accountability. Witnesses from a wide range of organisations consistently gave evidence that no single person or organisation can be responsible for the delivery of the promise. This requires a shared framework that connects national commitments with the practical action needed across the system, making clear the contributions required from different partners.

Plan 24-30 provides this shared framework, connecting the Scottish Government's implementation plan commitments with the practical delivery of change across Scotland. Its route maps set out who needs to do what and when, providing a basis for partners to align their work, understand their respective contributions and collectively track progress. The Promise Scotland is committed to working with the Scottish Government, COSLA and other partners to further develop the route maps and strengthen their role in supporting delivery.

The Committee is clear that the measurement of progress on the promise should include data on young people's direct experience of care services and the extent to which children and young people have positive, stable, loving and long- lasting relationships into adulthood.

Through the Promise Story of Progress, we will continue to work with partners across Scotland, to ensure the voices of care experienced babies, children and adults are embedded in work, not just to prove what is happening, but to help improve the way changes are being made.