Time to show that we care
Across the country, there are many people involved in providing care to some of the most vulnerable young people in our country - our looked after children or those in care.
These individuals give a tremendous commitment in trying to support some very distressed young people.
I have nothing but admiration and respect for these individuals - foster carers, social workers, care workers. They give of their best in very difficult circumstances.
A number of weeks ago I met a group of young people who are working with an organisation called Who Cares? Scotland. These young people have experienced our care system and they wanted to let me know first hand their experiences of the system and the need to secure improvements.
They are all young people where family life was not able to provide for them in the way that the overwhelming majority of families are able to do in our country.
These young people did something courageous for me. They explained the experiences they had, the difficulties they faced and shared their life experiences. They had all had a very hard time and it is no exaggeration to describe them as ‘survivors’of care.
They set out how the care system works and how it often takes steps - well intentioned steps - that do not always take into account the needs of the young people the system is in fact trying to help. They appealed to the government to give them an opportunity to shape the care system based on their experience and to make it more effective for future generations of young people.
At the same time, these young people were spending time with the First Minister. These deep, open discussions had a profound impact on our thinking within government.
The conclusion of all of this discussion was an announcement at the SNP conference a few weeks ago that a root and branch review of our care system would be undertaken and the young people at the centre of that system would be at the heart of the review.
When Nicola Sturgeon announced this approach at our conference, she made an argument that as a society we had to embrace the need for these young people to be loved, supported and included in our communities. It is not often language of this type is used at party conferences but it summed up a profoundly personal commitment the First Minister was making endorsed by those of us who support her - that we have to ensure our care system meets the needs of these young people.
In the aftermath of the conference, I have been greatly encouraged by the willingness of a wide range of parties to demonstrate their willingness of play a part in this process.
There is a clear sense that although many people are trying very hard to make the care system work, we all realise there is much more that needs to be done.
I think we have a great opportunity to fulfil these aspirations and the young people who had the courage to raise this issue will be at the heart of that process.