Charity warns of lack of progress on The Promise four years after publication

Acharitywhichrepresentspeople who have experienced the care system says there is a lack of progress on The Promise the flagship policy to improve the lives of young people in care.

On the fourth anniversary of the publication of The Promise, thecharitywhocares?scotland said there is a risk the policy will not be fulfilled by 2030. It noted progresshadbeenmadeinsome areas-likekeepingbrothersand sisters together. The charity said, though, it had concerns on the lack of progress in education, the use of restraints on children and the monetisation of care.

The Promise was unveiled on February 5, 2020, after a threeyear independent review of the care system. It was a wide-ranging set of commitments and received cross-party support at Holyrood.

Nicola Sturgeon believes it is one of the most important policies from her time in office and continues to lobby for its implementation. She recently said decision-makers need to take action in the next few years to address an "implementation gap".

Louise Hunter, chief executive at Who Cares? Scotland, said: "It has been seven years since

Nicola Sturgeon announced a 'root and branch review' of the care system in Scotland. We're now four years down the line, it' s clear there is still lots to do.”

Minister for Children, Young People and Keeping the Promisenatalie don said :“ire cog ni se there is still much to do to ensure that Scotland keeps The Promise by 2030 and I look forward to continuing to work together with Scotland's care experienced community to do so."