The promise
The Care Review published The Promise in February 2020. It was the conclusion of two years of consultation and review of children’s services. It listened to the voices of over 5,500 children, young people and adults who had lived in care.
The Promise outlines supports required for children who are unable to stay at home with their parents and the belief that we need transformational change across children’s services in Scotland. Also, transformation must keep the views and voice of children and young people at its core. It is closely aligned to Getting it right for every child (GIRFEC).
Organisations in Scotland were asked to sign up to #Keep the Promise.
The Promise is a long-term commitment to providing loving, caring and supportive foster homes to children and young people through their childhood and into their adult lives.
The 5 main foundations that underpin The Promise are
- Voice - Children must be listened to and meaningfully and appropriately involved in decision-making about their care, with all those involved properly listening and responding to what children want and need. There must be a compassionate, caring decision-making culture focussed on children and those they trust.
- Family - Where children are safe in their families and feel loved they must stay – and families must be given support together, to nurture that love and overcome the difficulties which get in the way.
- Care - Where living with their family is not possible, children must stay with their brothers and sisters where safe to do so, and belong to a loving home, staying there for as long as needed.
- People - The children must be actively supported to develop relationships with professionals and wider community, who in turn must be supported to listen and to be compassionate in their decision-making and care.
- Scaffolding - Children, families and the professionals must be supported by a system that is there when it is needed. The scaffolding of help, support and accountability must be ready and responsive when it is required.
Edinburgh’s Promise
Edinburgh has chosen to brand its response to The Promise by calling it Edinburgh’s Promise. It is governed through the Edinburgh Children’s Partnership. All sectors of children’s services, voluntary, statutory and regulatory will need to review, consult and amend service provision. This matches the ambition of the Children’s Partnership to be as joined up as possible about children’s services. The City of Edinburgh Council is committed to Keeping The Promise and to promoting the system change required to improve outcomes for looked after children.
The Edinburgh’s Promise plan for 2021 to 2024 is the main activity that key organisations in the Edinburgh Children’s Partnership are taking forward to make sure that Edinburgh keeps the Promise. An ambitious plan of key actions and change, linked to the National Promise. Further information on The Promise can be found on the main Council website.