NRCCI UPDATE Oct 2009

The culmination of the work of the three NRCCI working groups, which included engagement with children and young people, professionals and agencies from across the residential child care sector and a wide range of other stakeholders, will be the publication of reports from all three groups, an overarching report and recommendations, together with responses from the Scottish Government and COSLA, to be launched in early December 2009.

From November 2008 through to June 2009 the three NRCCI working groups met monthly with members undertaking specific pieces of work and research between meetings. The responses and comments gathered at four stakeholder events held during February and March were collated and shared with all three working groups. Following an extensive engagement process with over 100 children and young people, Who Cares? Scotland produced a full report with direct quotes from young people and this was also circulated to the three working groups. In addition briefings and/or presentations on key issues being addressed by the Initiative were provided/given to a number of established forums and networks and feedback from these also fed into the work of each working group.

The three reports, executive summaries and recommendations are now at the final proof reading stage in preparation for publication.In addition to work on amending and editing the reports there has also been a considerable amount of work by the NRCCI Executive group over the summer months in engaging key stakeholders in examining the implications of the proposed recommendations and in exploring how the work of the Initiative can be taken forward. This has included two meetings with Adam Ingram, Minister Children and Early Years, who prior to asking SIRCC to lead on the NRCCI, set out his ambition “to work with partners to make residential care the first and best placement of choice for those children whose needs it serves.”1 One of these meetings was a joint meeting with Shona Robison, Minister for Public Health and Sport, who it is hoped will, along with Adam Ingram and Isobel Hutton from COSLA, speak at the launch of the NRCCI reports in December.

1. The Minister’s statement to Parliament, 7 February 2008, quote at column 5928: oup http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParliament/or-08/sor0207-02.htm

NRCCI Update October 09