Hansard

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur) LD

The next item of business is a statement by Natalie Don-Innes on Scotland’s secure accommodation capacity. The minister will take questions at the end of her...

The Minister for Children, Young People and The Promise (Natalie Don-Innes) SNP

I am grateful for the opportunity to address the important issue of Scotland’s secure accommodation capacity. As Minister for Children, Young People and The ...

The Deputy Presiding Officer LD

The minister will now take questions on the issues that were raised in her statement. I intend to allow about 20 minutes for that, after which we will need t...

Roz McCall (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Con

I wish a happy new year to everyone in the chamber. I thank the minister for advance sight of her statement. During the passage of the Children (Care and Ju...

Natalie Don-Innes SNP

I thank Roz McCall for her questions—there was a lot in there. I do not necessarily agree with the suggestion that we have fallen at the first hurdle. With...

Martin Whitfield (South Scotland) (Lab) Lab

I thank the minister for her statement, which was requested before Christmas recess, along with an assurance that there was not going to be a capacity issue ...

Natalie Don-Innes SNP

I can absolutely give that assurance. Given the situation before Christmas, the matter received a lot of attention. The problem has been alleviated, and, as ...

Audrey Nicoll (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP) SNP

How does the situation in Scotland compare with the situation elsewhere in the United Kingdom?

Natalie Don-Innes SNP

The issue is faced across the UK. It is well known that placements across the rest of the UK are volatile, with children often placed in secure accommodation...

Liam Kerr (North East Scotland) (Con) Con

It is good that the Care Inspectorate is satisfied with the improvements at St Mary’s Kenmure, but the original report highlighted “dangerously low” levels o...

Natalie Don-Innes SNP

As I laid out in my statement, and referred to in response to other members’ questions, we regularly engage with St Mary’s Kenmure. Engagement with St Mary’s...

Rona Mackay (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP) SNP

I welcome the minister’s statement and the reassurance about the current capacity in the system. What plans does the Government have to increase the capacity...

Natalie Don-Innes SNP

As I set out in my statement, through a new secure care contingency plan, which was developed in collaboration with COSLA, Social Work Scotland and the Care ...

Pauline McNeill (Glasgow) (Lab) Lab

It is concerning that the minister said in her statement that the Government has not yet established “a clear agreement on the minimum vacant secure care ca...

Natalie Don-Innes SNP

Ms McNeill is dealing with hypotheticals. Before Christmas, we were in a situation in which we had one place in secure care. I agreed that that was extremely...

Fulton MacGregor (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) SNP

Many children and young people in secure care are vulnerable and have faced significant adverse childhood experiences. What is the Government doing to ensure...

Natalie Don-Innes SNP

Obviously, the quality of secure care is extremely important, but, in line with our work to keep the Promise, we want to use alternatives for children and yo...

Willie Rennie (North East Fife) (LD) LD

I want to press the minister further on Martin Whitfield’s point. There is anxiety that those who might need a secure place on care or welfare grounds might ...

Natalie Don-Innes SNP

We have our secure care pathways and standards, which relate to what a child or young person should expect before, during or after they are in secure care. I...

Kevin Stewart (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) SNP

I welcome the work that the Government did through the Children (Care and Justice) (Scotland) Bill, particularly in ensuring that children and young people a...

Natalie Don-Innes SNP

We wanted to prioritise that prior to the provisions in the bill being implemented. I felt that that was a very important issue that came out of the bill pro...

The Deputy Presiding Officer LD

It would be helpful, minister, if you addressed your remarks towards the microphone, although I know that it is counterintuitive when speaking to somebody be...

Natalie Don-Innes SNP

Apologies, Presiding Officer.

Sharon Dowey (South Scotland) (Con) Con

A stage 3 amendment to the Children (Care and Justice) (Scotland) Bill from my colleague Sue Webber, which was agreed to by the Parliament, ensures that a ch...

Natalie Don-Innes SNP

The member has touched on amendments made to the Children (Care and Justice) (Scotland) Bill at stage 3. The member will be aware that the Government support...

Ben Macpherson (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP) SNP

Regarding young people who are in secure care as a last resort, I would be grateful if the minister could say more about what the Scottish Government is doin...

Natalie Don-Innes SNP

A number of initiatives are relevant to that. The Government is developing the national secure adolescent in-patient service for Scotland, known as Foxgrove,...

The Deputy Presiding Officer LD

Thank you, minister. That concludes this item of business.

Martin Whitfield Lab

On a point of order, Deputy Presiding Officer. I seek your guidance on how to place on record that the minister’s statement that, this morning, there were th...

The Deputy Presiding Officer LD

I think that you have answered your own question, Mr Whitfield: you have put that on the record. It is not a point of order. There will be a brief pause bef...