Dunlop presses First Minister over "baby blind spot" in care system

Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP for the South of Scotland and former children's care charity chief executive Duncan Dunlop has today pressed the First Minister over comments from NSPCC Scotland warning that more than a decade of promises to reform Scotland's care system have failed to stop babies and infants waiting years for a permanent home.

Speaking in the Scottish Parliament, Mr Dunlop said:

"This week, the NSPCC have warned there is a “baby blind spot” in the care and justice system. This warning followed recent University of Stirling research showing that children in Scotland wait, on average, more than two years just to get a decision on where they should permanently live. This is four times longer in Scotland than it is in England  

"The reality of this wait is that babies and young children are left without the stability of a permanent home when they need it most. Those children are then likely to struggle to attach as well as give and receive love later in life. That lack of permanence also means there is no universal non-stigmatising support for mothers and babies in their community. 

"I know that Scottish Government has committed to review the effect which delays to permanence have on children, but we don’t need another review to tell us what we already know – The Promise was based on a 3 year all-encompassing Care Review. We need to take action and need to do it at pace.  

"So can I ask the First Minster, what action will this Government take now to help those mothers and babies in need?"