Promise - The Promise
In 2016 the Independent Care Review was commissioned by the Scottish Government to undertake a root and branch review of Scotland’s care system. Between 2017 and 2020, the care review heard over 5,000 experiences from children, young people and adults who had spent time living within the care system. This included the voices of those living in Moray with experience of care and those who care for them and work within the care system including paid and the unpaid workforce.
The care review published its findings and recommendations in a set of five reports, the key report for change is ‘The Promise’. The Promise sets out a vision of what an improved care system will not only look but feel like for those who need support and to ensure that our children and young people grow up loved, safe, and respected to realise their full potential.
The Promise is broken down into 5 foundations
Voice
- Children must be listened to and meaningfully and appropriately involved in decision-making about their care, with all those involved properly listening and responding to what children want and need. There must be a compassionate, caring, decision-making culture focused 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
- The system that surrounds all of this - the system of help, decision-making, support and accountability - must be more supportive and responsive.
Moray is committed to #KeepingthePromise
Moray Council is committed to keeping The Promise by placing children and families at the heart of everything we do. Our Children’s Services Plan 2023-2026 is our commitment to children, young people and families in Moray. It sets out our joint vision “All children and young people in Moray grow up loved, safe, respected, and equal, because our services and workforce put people first and support families with the right help at the right time.” We are committed to improving outcomes for our care experienced and looked after children and young people. Our plan is our local implementation of The Promise change plan which outlines what we need to do and who will do this.
We promise to…
Act in your best interests UNCRC Article 3
Work to keep families together UNCRC Article 9
Make sure you grow up feeling loved and safe UNCRC Articles 20 and 21
Help children, young people and families seeking asylum UNCRC Article 22
Check in regularly with you if you are living away from your parents UNCRC Article 25
Work together to overcome the barriers you face when trying to access Education UNCRC Articles 28 and 29
Promote and protect your rights UNCRC Article 42
How will we know we are getting it right for children, young people and their families?
The Promise is clear that we must listen properly to the voice of children and families and respond to what they need and want. We believe that the voice of the child is more than seeking their views, it’s about supporting children and young people to take an active role in making decisions about the things that affect them. We want the positive changes that are currently happening in Moray to continue, we will only know we are getting it right by truly listening and understanding the experiences of those living within our system and processes.
Information for Children and Young People
If you would like to find out more about The Promise, where it came from and what it could mean for you, you can find out more by reading The Pinky Promise. The Pinky Promise is a young reader friendly version of The Promise Report The Pinky Promise or watch a short video Video - Care Review Story
Useful links
Get in touch
Moray council has invested in the creation of a local Promise Team, the team includes a Promise Project Lead and a Promise Engagement Officer. The team can be contacted via email at promise@moray.gov.uk or –
Susan Leonard (GIRFEC & Promise Lead Officer) – Susan.Leanord@moray.gov.uk
Georgina Sutherland
Improvement Officer (Corporate Parenting) - Georgina.Sutherland@moray.gov.uk
Pamela Davidson
Promise Project Lead - Pamela.Davidson2@moray.gov.uk
Alistair Davidson
Promise Engagement Officer - Alistair.Davidson@moray.gov.uk