One of several reports produced as part of the Scottish Independent Care Review, The Promise sets out an overall view of what the new approach to children's care in Scotland should be. Everything in The Promise, and the other Care Review reports, reflects what the Care Review heard. "This Promise reflects what 5,500 babies, infants, children, young people and adults told the Care Review in the hope that Scotland is listening."
The Promise is built on Five Foundations.
Voice: Children and young people must be listened to and meaningfully and appropriately involved in decisionmaking about their care, with all those involved properly listening and responding to what they want and need. There must be a compassionate and caring decisionmaking culture focussed on children and those they trust.
Family: Where children are safe in their families and feel loved they must stay – and families must be given support together, to nurture that love and overcome the difficulties which get in the way.
Care: Where living with their family is not possible, children must stay with their brothers and sisters where safe to do so, and belong to a loving home, staying there for as long as needed.
People: The children that Scotland cares for must be actively supported to develop relationships with people in the workforce and wider community, who in turn must be supported to listen and be compassionate in their decision-making and care.
Scaffolding: Children, families and the workforce must be supported by a system that is there when it is needed. The scaffolding of help, support and accountability must be ready and responsive when it is required.
These Foundations and the associated calls for change in The Promise provide Scotland with a clarity of vision, a shared purpose and clear direction.
Read also: The child-friendly version of The Promise, The Pinky Promise
