Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 02 November 2011
02 Nov 2011 · S4 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Looked-after Children
I agree with that. That is the point that I had hoped to convey, so I am sorry if it did not come across.
Yesterday, the Education and Culture Committee heard from Claire Burns, who is the strategic policy implementation manager at the centre for excellence for looked-after children in Scotland—a snappy title. The comprehensive involvement of all the professionals and agencies in finding a way forward became clear from her presentation. A myriad of reading matter has offered a myriad of ways forward. There seems to be no shortage of academic debate about assessing the problems, although there is an inability to find practical solutions to them. The nub of the issue that we have to address is that it seems that although there is agreement on a clear way forward, we are not implementing it. The motion is exacting in recognising the need to move forward, the need to accept that the solution has already been identified and the need to put it into practice. Therefore, challenging the current process is key to making a difference in the lives of hundreds of children.
Article 8 of the European convention on human rights says that everybody has a right to a family life. If we are to realise that for Scotland’s most vulnerable children, we must take the action that is required, offer help when it is needed and challenge the thinking that inhibits progress.
The motion rightly highlights the importance of permanence and stability in the care of our looked-after children, but it is also right to acknowledge the services—professional and voluntary—that exist to help the parents of those children. No one can imagine their mental state, helplessness and vulnerability. If we are taking responsibility, we must not falter or fail their children, either.
In her last words at yesterday’s Education and Culture Committee meeting, Claire Burns said that if the looked-after children were our children, we would pay attention, we would be up at the school and we would want to take up opportunities for them. That is true.
We have heard from people who are both councillors and MSPs, and we have had a great deal of education on our responsibilities as corporate parents. How can we be corporate parents to 500 children whom we do not know? If we understand better the position of those children and can feel emotion for them—as if they are our own children—we will look on the problem very differently.
Everyone has the right to a family life. I will finish with a positive example. A young couple in my council ward who knew that they could not have children had established that they were keen to adopt. They were asked whether they would adopt a family and they said that they did not mind—that they would adopt one or two children. Between one night and the next they became parents to four children—an entire family—who had lost their parents. They were overjoyed. The message for Scotland is that we have to show adoption in a positive light. These are Scotland’s children and we care desperately that we get this right.
16:06
Yesterday, the Education and Culture Committee heard from Claire Burns, who is the strategic policy implementation manager at the centre for excellence for looked-after children in Scotland—a snappy title. The comprehensive involvement of all the professionals and agencies in finding a way forward became clear from her presentation. A myriad of reading matter has offered a myriad of ways forward. There seems to be no shortage of academic debate about assessing the problems, although there is an inability to find practical solutions to them. The nub of the issue that we have to address is that it seems that although there is agreement on a clear way forward, we are not implementing it. The motion is exacting in recognising the need to move forward, the need to accept that the solution has already been identified and the need to put it into practice. Therefore, challenging the current process is key to making a difference in the lives of hundreds of children.
Article 8 of the European convention on human rights says that everybody has a right to a family life. If we are to realise that for Scotland’s most vulnerable children, we must take the action that is required, offer help when it is needed and challenge the thinking that inhibits progress.
The motion rightly highlights the importance of permanence and stability in the care of our looked-after children, but it is also right to acknowledge the services—professional and voluntary—that exist to help the parents of those children. No one can imagine their mental state, helplessness and vulnerability. If we are taking responsibility, we must not falter or fail their children, either.
In her last words at yesterday’s Education and Culture Committee meeting, Claire Burns said that if the looked-after children were our children, we would pay attention, we would be up at the school and we would want to take up opportunities for them. That is true.
We have heard from people who are both councillors and MSPs, and we have had a great deal of education on our responsibilities as corporate parents. How can we be corporate parents to 500 children whom we do not know? If we understand better the position of those children and can feel emotion for them—as if they are our own children—we will look on the problem very differently.
Everyone has the right to a family life. I will finish with a positive example. A young couple in my council ward who knew that they could not have children had established that they were keen to adopt. They were asked whether they would adopt a family and they said that they did not mind—that they would adopt one or two children. Between one night and the next they became parents to four children—an entire family—who had lost their parents. They were overjoyed. The message for Scotland is that we have to show adoption in a positive light. These are Scotland’s children and we care desperately that we get this right.
16:06
In the same item of business
The Presiding Officer (Tricia Marwick)
NPA
The next item of business is a debate on motion S4M-01197, in the name of Angela Constance, on reducing the time needed to find a permanent home for looked-a...
The Minister for Children and Young People (Angela Constance)
SNP
Thank you for your generosity, Presiding Officer.As I am sure we are all aware, this week is national adoption week, which aims to raise awareness of the ben...
Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab)
Lab
The Parliament welcomed the steps taken by the Government to ensure that kinship carers receive the same benefits as foster carers, but that has not been imp...
Angela Constance
SNP
As Ms Grant is well aware, local authorities are best placed to make decisions about financial support for kinship carers and children at local level. That i...
Gil Paterson (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP)
SNP
I know that the minister is aware that I adopted a daughter, so I have some knowledge of this issue. Does she agree that time still requires to be taken in p...
Angela Constance
SNP
I am sure that Mr Paterson agrees that we can achieve thorough and timely assessments. I can imagine how adoptions, which birth parents often contest in the ...
Hanzala Malik (Glasgow) (Lab)
Lab
One of the issues facing minority communities, particularly visible minority communities, is that adoptions are not taking place within those communities—chi...
Angela Constance
SNP
That is an example of the type of work that we hope is evident in the adoption and permanence plans that local authorities will have to provide to me by Apri...
Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab)
Lab
I welcome the debate and the chance to discuss improving Scotland’s adoption service and the opportunities and life chances of some of Scotland’s most vulner...
Liz Smith (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con)
Con
There is no greater responsibility than bringing up children—and no greater responsibility for the state than ensuring that children who, for one reason or a...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
I mention to members who will take part in the open debate that we have a little bit of time in hand, so if they wish to take interventions, I will ensure th...
Stewart Maxwell (West Scotland) (SNP)
SNP
I begin by putting on record my admiration for the work that is done by all those people who are involved in caring for looked-after children in Scotland. Al...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
The member should wind up.
Stewart Maxwell
SNP
Thank you, Presiding Officer.Are we searching for the perfect outcome for children when the reality is that no child is brought up, even by their birth paren...
Claudia Beamish (South Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
I welcome the opportunity to speak in a debate on an issue that is close to my heart, and I am encouraged by the cross-party agreement in the area.I want to ...
Annabelle Ewing (Mid Scotland and Fife) (SNP)
SNP
I hear what the member says, but I understand that the Scottish Government funds the national advice and support service for kinship carers and that consider...
Claudia Beamish
Lab
I thank the member for that helpful intervention. I completely accept that point, but when we consider the range of services that the Midlothian group and pe...
Annabelle Ewing (Mid Scotland and Fife) (SNP)
SNP
I, too, am pleased to speak in this important debate on reducing the time needed to find a permanent home for looked-after children. As has been said, the st...
Richard Lyle (Central Scotland) (SNP)
SNP
I could talk about this subject for hours but, in case the Presiding Officer is concerned, I assure her that I will stick to my six minutes.National adoption...
Anne McTaggart (Glasgow) (Lab)
Lab
I add my support for Monday’s launch of national adoption week, which I am sure every member will support. I also acknowledge the foster carers, kinship care...
Kevin Stewart (Aberdeen Central) (SNP)
SNP
I refer members to my entry in the register of interests. The fact that I am a member of Aberdeen City Council will come up in my speech.When I joined Aberde...
Liam McArthur (Orkney Islands) (LD)
LD
Last week, members discussed how we can best raise the ambition and attainment of our children and young people. It is not surprising that much of that debat...
George Adam (Paisley) (SNP)
SNP
As Kevin Stewart did, I declare an interest as a councillor, but with Renfrewshire Council. As with other issues that we have discussed, I never really thoug...
Jean Urquhart (Highlands and Islands) (SNP)
SNP
As other member have done, I welcome the debate and the minister’s clear commitment to changing for the better the lives of some of our children. I also ackn...
Sandra White (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP)
SNP
I have taken part in similar debates in previous sessions of the Parliament, and the issue does not seem to move on. Jean Urquhart mentioned that we have to ...
Jean Urquhart
SNP
I agree with that. That is the point that I had hoped to convey, so I am sorry if it did not come across.Yesterday, the Education and Culture Committee heard...
Mary Fee (West Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
I, too, declare an interest. I am a councillor and for four years—until May this year—I was on Renfrewshire Council’s adoption panel.During my time on the pa...
Clare Adamson (Central Scotland) (SNP)
SNP
I declare my interest as a corporate parent, as an elected member of North Lanarkshire Council.The SNP Government has demonstrated its commitment to all of S...
Graeme Pearson (South Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
It is with trepidation and some humility that I speak in this debate. Trepidation because the subject matter is very important to us all—it is heartening to ...
Derek Mackay (Renfrewshire North and West) (SNP)
SNP
The member makes some interesting points. In a spirit of consensus, Mary Fee, George Adam and others have complimented Renfrewshire Council on its leadership...