Deputy First Minister
The Education, Children and Young People Committee may wish to be aware that today The Promise Scotland published ‘The Change Programme. The Promise Scotland are an independent organisation set up in 2020 (initially as part of Scottish Government before moving to becoming their own entity in April 2021). The Promise Scotland are responsible for driving the work of the change demanded by the findings of the Independent Care Review.
The Change Programme follows ‘The Plan 2021-24’ which was published on 31 March 2021. The Change Programme identifies which organisations have lead responsibility for delivering and enabling the priorities set out within The Plan, where the gaps are, and where there are connections that need to be made. This will inform the role of The Promise Scotland - where and how it needs to provide the required support and guidance to ensure full implementation of the outcome of the independent Care Review. The Scottish Government’s responsibility cuts across nearly all Ministerial portfolios and has a clear leadership role in the delivery of the priorities set out within The Plan and Change Programme to achieve the collective aim to #KeepThePromise.
I have written an open letter to Fiona Duncan, Chair of The Promise Scotland, in response to the publication of the Change Programme. The Scottish Government welcomes this publication and recognises that there is still a lot of work to be done to ensure full implementation of The Promise by 2030. Within the letter I have outlined what the Scottish Government is doing and reaffirmed our commitment to #KeepThePromise. In particular the Committee will wish to note that the Scottish Government has committed to the continuation of funding for the £4million Promise Partnership Fund up to financial year 2024/25. You can find a copy of the letter here.
The Scottish Government will continue to work with Local Authorities, partners, families, children and young people to deliver the ambition of making Scotland the best place to grow up where every child feels loved, safe, respected and able to reach their full potential. We will #KeepThePromise.
Yours sincerely,