Chamber and committees

Thank you. I will move on.

Physical restraint was another focus of the oversight board’s first report. The report states that, although there is a commitment to culture change across the residential sector, progress is mixed. What assessment has been made of the impact of the new reporting procedures in relation to restraint?

I wish to ask about siblings. It is not unique to this area that we have some pretty strong legislation and policy, but there is a gap in what people experience, or an implementation gap. We heard this morning about practical and cultural issues that might be preventing siblings from being placed together, so I would be interested to hear the reflections of panel members on that, with a view to understanding what needs to change to ensure that we can keep siblings together. Earlier this morning, a figure of 25 per cent was quoted for the number of siblings being separated, which will be quite shocking to committee members.

I would like to hear from Louise Hunter specifically about engagement with the minister. What discussions have you had following the brothers and sisters project work? I would be interested in hearing how the Government has responded to that.

That was a jumble of questions, but if you are happy to go with that, it would be helpful to hear your responses.

Just then, you spoke about producing a leaflet to describe to a child or a young person what their rights are. I cannot imagine many situations where that is enough, but I am thinking in particular of when a young person is going through a time of crisis in the children’s hearings system. Most adults would be hard-pressed to pick up a leaflet.

Does Nicola Killean wish to comment?

I will go back to Louise Hunter. We have spoken about accountability, and I suppose that the ultimate accountability for legislation lies with the Scottish ministers. On this topic, what interaction have you or Who Cares? Scotland had with ministers?

Good morning, minister. This is a welcome move, and it is important for the fair work principles that you set out. Will there be any further opportunities to strengthen board governance? That is always important, but, particularly while we are operating in times of financial constraint, it is crucial that we have excellent governance on our college boards.

It feels very uncomfortable to be talking about numbers when we are talking about actual children and young people.

I suppose that the committee would want to be reassured that, where there is learning to be had, it is possible to do that to ensure that we are doing the best for children and young people in our care. I do not know whether other panel members have anything further to add on that.

I will come back to you, Louise, but first I wonder whether other panel members have any reflections. The financial and resource restraints are obvious, but what are the cultural barriers that are preventing our children’s rights from being enabled in terms of being with their siblings?

Thank you. That is helpful.

I will press you a little on that one final time. What would that measurable difference be? Would it mean that somebody does not have to travel to get treatment, or that they will get treatment more quickly? What will it mean for a patient?