In 2017, the Independent Care Review was established, following years of campaigning from the care community demanding change.
On February 5 2020, it published its full findings, with an ambition for Scotland that all its children and young people will grow up loved, safe and respected— so that they will realise their full potential.
To realise this ambition, the Independent Care Review set out over 80 recommendations on what must be done to overhaul the ‘care system’.
These were set out under five foundations – Voice, Family, Care, People and Scaffolding – in The Promise Report.
Scotland makes a promise
Scotland’s then First Minister promised that that the country would implement these recommendations in full, by 2030. That commitment got the support of all of the Scottish Parliament’s political parties, and so Parliament made the promise.
What is the promise?
The promise is “that all Scotland’s children and young people will grow up loved, safe and respected so they can realise their full potential.”
To keep this promise, all the conclusions of the Independent Care Review must be implemented, in full, by 2030. When people speak about keeping the promise, this is often what they are referring to.
Since this promise was made, a large number of different things have been set up to help keep it. The Promise Scotland is one of these.
It can be hard to keep track of everything which has been set up, and the roles and responsibilities of every organisation which works to keep the promise. So below we have a guide to help you to understand who does what.
Who else is involved in keeping the promise?
As well as involving the organisations, individuals, reports and statements above, keeping the promise stretches right across Scotland.
It involves many sectors and organisations including the third sector, health care, justice, education, youth clubs and – currently – private sector service providers.
Showing your support for the promise
If you’re working to keep the promise, you can show your commitment by adding the promise heart to your work.
You can download the promise partner toolkit. This exists for everyone who works to keep the promise— that “all Scotland’s children and young people will grow up loved, safe and respected so they can realise their full potential.”
It explains the difference between the promise heart and The Promise Scotland logo, and explains when it’s appropriate to use either one. It also contains information about the colours to use when you’re designing materials which show your support for keeping the promise.