Keeping the Promise

Delivering for Care Experienced Young People

The Promise is the outcome of the Independent Care Review and is a commitment to bring about the necessary changes to ensure all care-experienced children in Scotland grow up loved, safe and respected, with the ability to reach their full potential.

The SNP’s commitment to The Promise is as strong today as it was in 2020, when the Scottish Government accepted in full all the recommendations of the Review. Since then, the government has taken strides in its work to keep The Promise, with transformational change already undertaken to ensure all children in Scotland grow up loved, safe and respected.

This has included a number of changes made in justice, in education, and in health to support those with experience of care and the people who work with them. And since 2022, the Scottish Government has invested more than £110m in activity that is transforming family support through the Whole Family Wellbeing Funding Programme - with £9.5 million being allocated in 2026/27 through the Care Experienced Children and Young People Fund.

Progress is being made across the country, with the latest statistics showing a 15.6% reduction in the number of looked after children since 2020.

Moreover, the Children (Care, Care Experience and Services Planning) (Scotland) Bill proposes going further.

This Bill would extend the aftercare support currently available for 16-to-26 year olds who were in care on their 16^th birthday to those who had left care before that point – including providing help with accommodation, education, employment and wellbeing. It would also secure for people with care experience a right to access lifelong advocacy services, ensuring their voices are better heard throughout their care journey.

The legislation includes proposed reforms of the Children’s Hearings system so it continues to meet the needs of children and families. It also aims to improve professional recognition of foster carers with a proposed national register to help enhance the quality of placements, alongside taking steps to remove profit from care.

The Scottish Government knows there is still much to do and such significant change takes time, but the SNP in government will leave no stone unturned as it works with partners and stakeholders to ensure that the necessary transformation is in place by 2030.