Minister for Children, Young People and The Promise

Responsibilities

Supports the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills.

Specific responsibilities are:

• adoption and fostering
• Bairn's Hoose (reporting jointly with Minister for Victims and Community Safety)
• child protection
• children and young people with learning disabilities and/or autism
• children's hearings
• children's rights
• children's services
• Creating Positive Futures
• Disclosure Scotland
• early years
• kinship carers
• looked after children
• outdoor learning
• play, including play parks
• protection of vulnerable groups
• The Promise - reports to First Minister
• transitions for those with disablities and/or autism 

Biography

Natalie Don-Innes was born in Paisley and grew up in Bridge of Weir. Natalie attended Gryffe High School and then went on to study History at University of Glasgow.

Before and during her time at University, Natalie worked in a variety of sales roles working her way up to Manager of a local food retailer. After graduating university, Natalie started a role as a constituency assistant and caseworker for a member of the Scottish Parliament.

She was elected as a local councillor for the Bishopton, Bridge of Weir and Langbank ward in 2017 and then member of the Scottish Parliament for Renfrewshire North and West in 2021. She was appointed as Minister for Children, Young People and Keeping the Promise in March 2023. As well as her professional roles, Natalie has spoken openly about her own experiences growing up in poverty, and highlights the benefits and importance of having people with lived experience in decision making roles.

• read more about Natalie Don-Innes on the Scottish Parliament website