Retrieved from https://digitalpublications.parliament.scot/Committees/Report/ECYP/2025/12/17/2cf08836-9408-4f29-bba4-66d6e593f033#5627952a-4dbf-4dc3-8600-b0921a279113.dita:
called for the Scottish Government to explore how Bill provisions on aftercare and a register of foster carers could be brought within scope of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) (Scotland) Act 2024 (UNCRC Act)
asked for further information about aftercare eligibility, highlighting that under the provisions in the Bill, those leaving care prior to the age of 16 would have to request assessment before they could be considered for support
called for further work to ensure costings for aftercare provisions were accurate, as stakeholders had raised concerns about figures used being an underestimate and out of date
recommended mandatory training for all corporate parents
asked the Scottish Government for a response to stakeholder concerns that expanded corporate parenting duties could lead to state intrusion
recommended that the Bill should include a definition of 'independent advocacy' and, in the absence of this, there should be clarity around who qualifies for lifelong advocacy
stated an opt-out model of advocacy should be explored for the children's hearings system
stated that the Bill's lack of a clear definition of care experience was "unhelpful", suggesting the Bill could include a duty to develop regulations to define care experience
sought further information on proposals to limit profit in residential care, including how the Scottish Government proposes to define 'excessive profit'
stated the Committee's support for proposals requiring Independent Fostering Agencies (IFAs) to become registered charities, as long as there was sufficient lead-in time to secure a smooth transition
called for further information about the proposed register of foster carers, including where responsibility for the register would lie
raised concerns about proposals for single member panels in the children's hearings system, calling for the Scottish Government to respond to this and other concerns raised in relation to hearings system proposals
expressed...