Profit distorts. It does not lead to good, local, loving care of children

Scotland’s Independent Care

Review was clear that the lives and care of children must not be profited from, that there must be effective scrutiny to ensure the presence of profit is directed to the care of children and young people rather than corporate shareholders.

Children who live in and around the care system told us they felt the monetisation of their lives, profoundly impacting their sense of their worth and value.

Money that should be focused on local care and support for children and families is diverted from those who need it most.

It is also really clear from various investigations that the inflation of profit, particularly in England, drives cross-border placements, and too often is present in settings that do not meet even the minimum standards of care.

Profit distorts. It does not lead to good, local, loving care. Regulators must have sufficient powers and resources to be able to understand and inspect on the presence of profit across care providers operating in Scotland.

However, this must be done in a way that does not interrupt the provision of good, rightsbased, loving care for children and young people.

Ensuring there is proper planning for the support of families and provision of stable, safe homes for children to live, that facilitate loving relationships must always come first.

This was the conclusion of the Independent Care Review almost two-and-a-half years ago, and integral to Scotland’s promise to its children and families.

It continues to be urgent today. In the current financial context, the argument for redirecting public funds from profit towards purpose has never been stronger.

Fiona Duncan is chair of The Promise Oversight Board, the body responsible for ensuring the findings of the Independent Care Review are implemented.