Yesterday saw the launch of Plan 21-24, the first of three plans that will together set out how Scotland will, by 2030, #KeepThePromise made by the Independent Care Review (writes FIONA DUNCAN).  

Plan 21-24 focuses what must be done during the period from 1 April 2021 until 31 March 2024. It provides key priorities and areas of focus for organisations to work to achieve the required change over the next three years.  

It is ambitious. It is bold. It will deliver transformational change.  

And it only exists because of the care experienced babies, infants, children, young people and families who campaigned for the Independent Care Review and then selflessly shared intimate and often painful experiences of the ‘care system’ in the hope of change. 

Change that would mean that children, young people and families were listened to, respected, involved and heard in every decision that affects them. Change that would support families to stay together and prioritise the safe loving relationships that are important to children and young people. Change that would make love the value that drives everything and that everything operates around.  

That change is here.  And this is Scotland’s plan to deliver it. 

Plan 21-24 is truly ground-breaking.

Hundreds of organisations committed to keep a single promise made to children and families in the knowledge that to do so would require them to change, to work together and in sequence – something that hasn’t been attempted to realise a collective vision anywhere else.   

But I have seen the level of commitment and enthusiasm from all those required to change, those who need change and those with the power to influence change and I am confident that Scotland will #KeepThePromise.   

Those  100+ organisations, including local and national government, national bodies and agencies, local and national organisations across public, third and private sectors and those with statutory responsibility for children and families directly engaged with The Promise Scotland team.

They submitted plans, reports and survey responses to outline what they would do to #KeepThePromise, the support they needed and what help they could offer.  Scotland is primed and ready to do the hard work required. 

The ordering of the Care Review’s conclusions have been translated into five priority areas of change: 

• A good childhood 
• Whole family support 
• Supporting the workforce 
• Planning
• Building capacity 

Each priority area contains actions that will be achieved by 2024. 

These actions cover a wide range of important areas such as; family therapy, support for children of young children, schools and exclusion, the importance of safe, loving relationships, youth justice, advocacy, independent living, values and the workforce, investment, information-sharing, data, legislation, children’s hearing system and inspection and regulation. 

But do not be mistaken – Plan 21-24 isn’t about building a new ‘system’. Rather, it is about building a country that cares, made up of services that work to meet the needs of children and families where and when they are needed. 

The system, the scaffolding around services, policy, budgets and legislation are secondary, and must shift to facilitate what children and families need and reflect what they have said matters at every level.  

The Promise Scotland is working towards a promise kept by 2030, and its own obsolescence.  It will drive the change needed and provide support, honesty and accountability.  But it is Scotland that will deliver change. 

It is Scotland that will #KeepThePromise. 

Mary Glasgow, Chief Executive, Children 1st, Scotland’s national children’s charity said: “Scotland must be a country where all children are loved, cared for and respected.

“They should be able to live safely at home with their own families – where this isn’t possible the state must ensure they still get that care and respect in a safe and loving home. I am therefore delighted to welcome ‘The Plan’, the exciting next phase of the Independent Care Review that has been published today.

“The Plan outlines how over the next three years we will keep the Promise made to children and young people. Support for families to help them stay together must be simple to access and joined-up – we must end the siloed approach. Help must be offered much earlier, to prevent families falling into crisis.

“The impact of childhood trauma, and what works to aid recovery, must be understood by every professional. Most of all, children, young people and their families have a right to be heard and have a say in all the decisions that affect their lives.

“At Children 1st, we are committed to doing what is required of us to deliver The Plan. We will continue to work with government and local authority partners to deliver the transformation needed. We must make sure we have a system that always helps families stay together where possible, protects children’s rights and offers early practical and emotional help to all who need it.”