Dunlop comments on “patched together” plans for kids in care

Responding to the Scottish Government’s statement on Keeping The Promise which announced the launch of a new Delivery Coalition, chaired by ministers and bringing together partners from across national and local government, public services, the third sector and people with lived experience, Scottish Liberal Democrat spokesperson for children and young people and former chief executive of Who Cares Scotland, Duncan Dunlop MSP said:

“On 15th October 2016, I led care experienced people into the SNP conference to hear Nicola Sturgeon commit to “ripping up the care system and that we would not have to wait for change.” A child aged 5 then, is now 15.

“The minister talks of commitment to action, to drive change and implement legislation but for those children they have been hearing these empty promises for years.

“The statement actually contains ad hoc commitments that the government have patched together as positive signs of progress. They do not amount to ripping up a system.

“Before The Promise, the SNP had the looked after strategic implementation group. This was quietly discontinued as it achieved little impact.

“I would ask the minister, does this new delivery coalition mark the quiet discontinuation of the strategic adviser and the Promise oversight board or is it more PR that adds to the public sector clutter that only last month Audit Scotland warned against?”