The Promise: letter to the care-experienced community

To: The care experienced community

From: First Minister John Swinney

It is five years since Scotland made its Promise, that we, as a nation, will do all that we can to improve how we support you and ensure you have access to all the opportunities you need to thrive.

A lot has happened in those five years across Scotland and undoubtedly within your own lives. One thing that hasn’t changed is our commitment to keep The Promise. I want to let you know that I stand by the promise made by me and by politicians across the Scottish Parliament, to ensure young people with care experience grow up loved, safe, and respected.

As First Minister I am very aware that there is so much more we need to do to change the complex challenges that still exist in our care system. I also know that every person with care experience has a different journey and care can come in many different forms - from foster care to kinship care.

That means keeping The Promise must touch on many different parts of our lives, from health to education, to justice and housing. The Minster for Children, Young People and The Promise, Natalie Don-Innes, as well as all the members of my Cabinet, are committed to playing our part in making sure the opportunities that are open to you in life are positive and allow you to reach your goals.

Since becoming First Minister, and in my previous roles in the Scottish Government, I have met and spoken to so many wonderful people and I have had the opportunity to visit a wide range of programmes and projects supporting The Promise across Scotland. I feel privileged to continue to do this and I look forward to hearing more from you and sharing your ambitions for the future.

In the last five years there has been a lot of work carried out, and we hope you agree and can feel that progress has been made. As a Government we are continuing to invest in helping families to stay together; and we have introduced a number of changes in justice, in education and in health to support you and the people across Scotland who work with you.

However, there is a long way to go, and I know that in some areas we must work harder and faster to bring the changes required. You have my full commitment to continue to lead this work. I am determined to see the changes that are needed and to ensure we have a care system in Scotland that responds to you and your experiences.

I am not alone of course and there is lots of work underway by corporate parents including councils, local services, health boards, the Police and by all organisations who care for and support you. Each of them have an important role to play in making the improvements that you have told us you need to see happen.

Some of this requires changes to the law. To help with this I will introduce legislation that will help to do this. I know that many of you have been involved in consultation and engagement activity that has happened across Scotland to help inform this. Your voices were at the heart of the Independent Care Review and they continue to guide our way forward with The Promise. Thank you for your involvement, for sharing your experiences so honestly, and for being so open with your ideas.

Together we can make the changes we need and I am honoured to be on this journey with you.