PKC commitment to care overhaul
Council offers support for national review
Perth and Kinross councillors have shown a commitment to implementing the recommendations set out in the Independent Care Review.
In October 2016, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced she was launching “an independent, root and branch review of the care system” to look at “the underpinning legislation, practices, culture and ethos.”
Between February 2017 and February 2020, the review heard over 5500 experiences. Over half were from care-experienced children and adults, with the remainder being from families who had navigated the care system and the paid and unpaid workforce.
Earlier this month, Ms Sturgeon promised an overhaul of the system, after the review found Scotland’s children were being let down.
Issues raised included siblings being separated, girls who had suffered sexual abuse being held in secure care and care becoming “monetised” with competition rather than collaboration.
Councillors were asked to consider recommendations when they met last week.
At a meeting of the full council on February 19, Councillor Caroline Shiers shared a video with fellow councillors detailing the story of the review.
Following the video, the Conservative councillor said: “It is one of the most important reports we can consider as councillors.
“As convener of lifelong learning, I would ask that this council is whole-hearted and passionate in its collective commitment to the recommendations of the review.
“We can all be assured and indeed proud, of how seriously Perth and Kinross Council takes its corporate parenting role.
“We can demonstrate a track record in protecting and transforming our care services to meet the needs of our children and their families.
“It is always uplifting when, at the corporate parenting meeting, some good news is shared about our young people and the pride on the faces of all around the table demonstrated how seriously the ‘parenting’ element of the corporate parenting role is taken.
“Nonetheless, I would ask that all elected members support a commitment to taking forward the recommendations of the report without delay.
“This report highlights the opportunity we have in public life to emulate those loving relationships which many of us perhaps took for granted when we were growing up and to commit to the promise of creating a new blueprint for our children which ensures they grow up loved, nurtured and cherished.”
She added there would be a crossparty approach to the report, with the SNP spokesperson for lifelong learning, Cllr John Rebbeck, adding: “I have no hesitation in unreservedly endorsing a collective whole council and whole chamber commitment to taking forward the recommendations of this unique and most significant review.
“The findings and recommendations provide a powerful vision for how we must care for our most vulnerable children and young people.
“Children and young people must be heard and listened to and our first priority should be to make sure we keep children out of care and wherever possible thriving within their families.
“Our investment in new ways of working and early interventions such as REACH and our services at Navigate and Connections show this can work in practice.”