Chamber and committees

It might be helpful if I mention some of the things that I have read. The key recommendations were on healthcare services for young people no longer being provided in adult settings, a move to a distributed network, and an end to self-referrals, with access being available only through clinician-led referrals. Is that part of the work that has been going on?

I appreciate the opportunity to come along and speak to the petitions committee this morning. I am obviously here to support the petition PE2105, which I am supporting on behalf of my constituents right across the region that I cover, which is South Scotland. I have been contacted many times about this issue, which is important not only because of the need to save beautiful and historic buildings in the region for future generations, but because there seems to be a need to enhance the guidelines around dangerous buildings.

In my work with constituents since being elected, I have found that we have a number of ordinary members of the public who really care about their communities and the buildings and the history of the villages that they live in. Often, they raise issues with the council and other public bodies and ask whether advance work could be done before an emergency situation is reached. Unfortunately, in a number of cases in the three years that I have been a member, I have agreed with my constituents that that does not seem to be a priority and that the system seems to not be working very well. We end up the use of legislation around emergency building care. Of course, my constituents understand that it is important that the public is protected. There is no question of that, but they feel that there is a loophole in that we get to emergency situations and then the legislation is used, whereas things could be different if we had enhanced guidelines.

I want to thank, in particular, my constituent Esther Clark, who has worked tirelessly to address this issue in Ayr, where she lives, and where there are many historic buildings, which we know may be getting to the point where they are at risk.

It is with some urgency that I say that we would do well to support the petition, in order that we do not continue to have this unnecessary response in situations where we feel that the public could be vulnerable. I hope that the petitions committee will continue to consider the petition. Thank you.

I have one follow-up question. I have listened to what you have said, which has been helpful for our scrutiny of the bill. Do we need the legislation that would establish a national care service to do this stuff, or could or should we be doing it now?

I have a question about the social work adviser and the social work agency. I know that the issue has been touched on and that we have had submissions about it but, for the record, will you tell us how you think that should play out? What advice would you give us about scrutinising such an idea?

That was a helpful addition to your submission. Does Rob Gowans want to come in?

That is helpful. You said that the role of the agency can develop as it is discussed.

Fiona Collie, do you want to come in?

We have heard from them. It is helpful to hear your response, as well as to hear about support for the agency as it develops.

Good morning. I am interested in the topics of the national social work agency and the national chief social work adviser. Our job is to scrutinise the legislation as it comes through. I recognise the position that you are taking, but it would be useful for us to understand how you would feel about having a chief social work adviser and how that position would link to the roles of local authorities.

That was helpful. Thank you very much.

Not every organisation has taken a position on this, but I am interested to know whether anyone has a view that they would like to put on the record about the national social work adviser and the national social work agency. Do you believe that they are necessary, and would that provision be of benefit? Adam, you look as if you are going to say something.