Labour councillor Fiona Hennebry, The Promise logo and Community Party councillor JIm Bollan.
By Democrat reporter
West Dunbartonshire Labour councillor Fiona Hennebry, West Dunbartonshire social work committee member, is calling for an “urgent reset” and rescue plan for The Promise, a national commitment to improving the lives of care experienced people by 2030.
The Promise was made in 2020 but five years on, there is still confusion about what different bodies should be doing to deliver the changes needed.
Councillor Hennebry has also issued a plea for a fully costed and transparent breakdown for all elements of The Promise and a renewed focus on early intervention and family support ensuring that every child can grow up loved, safe and respected.
She told The Reporter: “This report lays bare what too many families already know — warm words and good intentions from the SNP are no substitute for real delivery.
“The Promise was supposed to transform the lives of children in care, but five years on, we still have no clear plan, no clear accountability, and no measurable progress. Scotland’s most vulnerable young people are being failed again.
“The report shows that of the £500 million promised for the Whole Family Wellbeing Fund, less than a third has been spent, and that there remains no shared framework to track progress or outcomes across the system.
“The SNP has had years to get this right, but this report proves they’ve squandered precious time and squandered trust. Families can’t wait while ministers make excuses.
The report also found that the Scottish Government’s efforts to transform the care system were built on “weak foundations”, with no clear plan for delivery, unclear roles for public bodies, and serious delays in funding and progress.
Councillor Jim Bollan, of West Dunbartonshire Community Party, said: “The promise is just that, a promise.
“Services will not improve but decline and deteriorate as we see the changes being made in West Dunbartonshire by the HSCP, an arms-length organisation.
“Home care and augmented services are being cut back to balance the books, not to increase and protect services to the vulnerable.
“Home care staff are having their wages and conditions attacked by the HSCP, which has decimated morale amongst care staff.
“The so-called ‘redesign’ of care services currently underway is about cutting costs, not protecting vulnerable clients and our dedicated care staff.
“The recent damning report from the Care Inspectorate should be a wake-up call for the HSCP, which is putting public services in a vulnerable position and ripe for privatisation.”