Kinship Care Strategic Advisory Group minutes: 13 August 2026

Attendees and apologies

• Dawn Abell (Chair), Scottish Government
• Angie Gillies, Adoption Fostering and Kinship Alliance Scotland (AFKA)
• Joanne McMeeking, CELCIS
• Caroline McDonald, Social Work Scotland
• Simon Cameron, COSLA
• Simon McGowan, Children First
• Gilly Low, Perth and Kinross Local Authority
• Debbie Silver, Scottish Government
• Danielle Brooks, Scottish Government
• Louisa Brown, Scottish Government
• Emma Harrow, Scottish Government

Items and actions

Welcome and introductions

The Chair welcomed members to the first meeting of the Kinship Strategic Advisory Group (KSAG) and thanked them and their organisations for their contribution to development of the National Vision for Kinship Care.  

The role of the Group in providing strategic advice, support and constructive challenge as the work moves from Vision to delivery was outlined. The wider proposed delivery structure was outlined and comprises the Advisory Group, Short-Life Working Groups and a broader, Kinship Care Network.  

Members noted the wider pressures affecting children's services and the importance of aligning delivery of the Vision with related policy and reform activity. Relevant policy colleagues may be invited to future meetings where helpful.

Terms of reference

Members considered the draft Terms of Reference (ToR), including the Group's advisory role, Phase 1 expectations and the wider delivery structure. It was agreed that the ToR would be revised following the discussion and recirculated to members. 

Discussion focused particularly on development of the proposed Kinship Care Network and how practitioner expertise and the voices of kinship carers, children and young people could meaningfully inform the work. Members highlighted existing networks and expertise which could support this, and offers of support were welcomed. Further work will be undertaken to develop the Network and participation arrangements. 

Members also highlighted the importance of recognising the shared responsibilities and accountabilities of national and local government and wider partners, including local democratic accountability. This will be reflected in the revised ToR. 

Sequencing approach for the high-level delivery plan 

Members considered the proposed approach to prioritising and sequencing the commitments within the Vision. The methodology comprises evidence gathering, assessment and sequencing, with commitments ultimately grouped into broad phases reflecting their delivery requirements and timescales. 

It was emphasised that sequencing is not intended to rank commitments by importance. Discussion highlighted the need to balance early achievable progress with longer-term transformational change, recognising that some complex reforms may need to begin early despite taking longer to deliver. 

Members broadly supported the proposed approach and highlighted the importance of considering funding and workforce capacity, interdependencies and implementation challenges, while maintaining ambition and building on the substantial existing evidence base. The methodology will continue to be refined as evidence is gathered. 

Phase one workplan 

Members considered the proposed Phase 1 workplan. Commitments will be considered through themed evidence-gathering sessions aligned to the five foundations of The Promise – Family, Voice, Care, People and Scaffolding – building on existing evidence and policy development. 

Members will be asked to draw on their expertise, organisations and wider networks between meetings. The Group will identify likely delivery requirements and indicative resource implications rather than undertake detailed financial modelling at this stage. Following the themed sessions, Scottish Government will assess and moderate the evidence before bringing proposed sequencing back to the Group. 

Members broadly supported the approach while noting the ambitious timetable, wider workload pressures and interdependencies with other reform activity. It was agreed that the approach should remain flexible and be adapted where necessary as Phase 1 progresses. 

Next steps

Action: SG to develop proposals for the Kinship Care Network and arrangements for practitioner and lived-experience 
participation, drawing on offers of support from members.  

Action: SG to refine the prioritisation and sequencing approach as evidence gathering progresses,

Action: All members to draw on organisational expertise and wider networks to contribute evidence and implementation insight to the themed sessions.