National Bairns' Hoose Implementation Group minutes: September 2024

Attendees and apologies

 

• Andrew Watson (Chair), Scottish Government
• Alan Hope, Tayside
• Alistair Hogg, Scottish Children's Reporter Administration
• Anna Donald, Scottish Government
• Brian Taylor, Scottish Government
• Carron McKellar, Police Scotland
• Charles Rocks, Dumfries and Galloway
• Danielle McLaughlin, Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service
• Donna-Marie Munro, Highlands
• Edward Doyle, Scottish Government
• Ali McAlpine (acting as deputy for Graeme Simpson), Aberdeen City
• Jane Simcox, Ayrshire
• Lorrette Nicol (acting as deputy for Janet Blair), Sycamore
• Cheryl Clark (acting as deputy for Jennifer Nesbitt Thomson), Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service
• Jillian Ingram, Joint Investigative Interviewing (JII) National Implementation Coordinator / Scottish Child Interview Model (SCIM) Implementation Team, Convention of Scottish Local Authorities
• Jillian Taylor, Scottish Executive Nurse Directors
• Joanna Macdonald, Scottish Government
• Justine Craig, Scottish Government
• Kate Rocks, North Strathclyde
• Louise Langfield (acting as deputy for Kerry Milligan), Public Protection Health Representative
• Iona Mitchell (acting as deputy for Leigh Jolly), Aberdeenshire
• Lesley Swanson, Scottish Government
• Anna O'Reilly (acting as deputy for Mary Glasgow), North Strathclyde
• Neil Ferguson, NHS Regional Planner Representative
• Olivia Robertson, Fife
• Sharon Glasgow, Social Work Scotland
• William Griffiths, Scottish Government
• Kelly Gallagher, Scottish Government
• Sarah Kerr, Scottish Government
• Yuki Tsujino (Secretariat), Scottish Government
• Shawnna von Blixen-Finecke, Barnahus Network (External Adviser)

Apologies

• Carolann Passey, Outer Hebrides

Items and actions

Welcome and apologies (agenda item 1)

The Minister for Children, Young People and The Promise was unable to attend due to parliamentary commitments.

The Chair noted recent ministerial events relating to Bairns' Hoose, including the upcoming Pathfinder anniversary event on 24 October 2024 in Aberdeen.

Scene setting (agenda item 2)

The Chair emphasised the group's delivery-focused membership and its role in overcoming challenges to implement the Bairns' Hoose policy.

The Pathfinder phase has been extended to spring 2027 to allow for more comprehensive testing and learning.

The ultimate goal is to develop a national Bairns' Hoose blueprint adaptable to local requirements across Scotland.

Terms of reference (agenda item 3)

Brian Taylor outlined the group's role: to advise on implementation, facilitate collaboration, and address local issues requiring national solutions, rather than centralise decisions.

Kate Rocks noted the Terms of Reference seemed too generic and needed more focused accountability. She suggested:

• including identifying barriers to progress in the remit
• considering both local and Pathfinder-specific challenges
• providing more detail on the group's membership construct

The Chair facilitated introductions to illustrate the breadth of perspectives within the group and provided assurances regarding escalation routes.

 Jillian Ingram from the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) emphasised the importance of partnership with local authorities in decision-making, referencing the Verity House Agreement.

Lesley Swanson noted that partnerships within the group represent the voice of their entire partnership.

Kate Rocks suggested including deputising as a responsibility within the Terms of Reference.

The Chair agreed that personal attendance should be the norm for members.

Actions

• 1.1 Scottish Government to collate feedback and amend the Terms of Reference accordingly, and circulate to members for agreement.

Proposed working groups (agenda item 4)

William Griffiths introduced the purpose of working groups, emphasising they should have a clear remit.

Several suggestions for working groups were put forward:

• Edward Doyle proposed groups reflecting the national Bairns' Hoose Standards, with victim support incorporating health
• Charles Rocks suggested focusing on data and evaluation rather than information sharing
• Shawnna von Blixen-Finecke proposed a balanced approach group
• Alan Hope suggested a group to incorporate voices of children and families who have gone through the system

Kate Rocks raised concerns about potential duplication of work and emphasised the importance of health involvement.

Cheryl Clark supported an information sharing working group to collate best practices and learning for partnerships.

Lesley Swanson mentioned existing platforms for sharing learning, including a knowledge exchange programme and newsletter.

Kate Rocks reminded the group about existing legislation, policy, and procedures on information sharing fundamental to GIRFEC implementation.

Discussion on Scotland's involvement in International Standards Organisation (ISO) workshops, with Shawnna von Blixen-Finecke advising that Scotland should follow its own path.

Lesley Swanson noted ongoing work with Healthcare Improvement Scotland to establish a link worker model for each partnership.

Actions

• 1.2 Scottish Government to collate feedback and amend proposals for working groups accordingly, and circulate to members for agreement

Bairns’ Hoose Pathfinder Project Plan – working draft (agenda item 5)

William Griffiths presented the Project Plan, describing the workstreams contributing to the programme.

The Chair emphasised the importance of the Project Plan as a basis for discussions within the group and invited input on how members relate the plan to their own work and the feasibility of timelines.

Key points raised in discussion:

• Kate Rocks questioned whether the Self-Assessment and Readiness (StART) tool incorporates partnerships' initial ambitions and how progress will be measured against these
• concerns were raised about the funding model's perceived lack of transparency and collaboration
• the Chair noted that funding discussions would likely be recurring in future meetings and highlighted that the group will be able to advise Scottish Ministers on funding matters
• Alistair Hogg sought clarification on the publication timeline for the Pathfinder Research Report
• William Griffiths explained that the Pathfinder Research Report will feed into the final blueprint product, with Lesley Swanson adding that drafting would start in quarter two 2026 and publication expected by end of 2026
• Neil Ferguson requested clarity on significant milestones and expectations between group meetings, as well as empirical/quantitative figures for national implementation
• Lesley Swanson addressed the funding model discussion, noting that the Scottish Government is building knowledge through recent and ongoing engagement with each partnership on their position in Scotland

The Chair acknowledged the usefulness of the plan to members and the importance of the issues raised, particularly regarding the plan and funding. It was agreed that these topics would be addressed through appropriate channels (such as Single Points of Contact) between meetings, with significant updates or developments to be brought back to the group as needed.

Bairns’ Hoose Project Team – policy and programme delivery update paper – including update on Joint Investigative Interviews (Scottish Child Interview Model) (agenda item 6)

Lesley Swanson introduced the contents of the policy and programme update paper:

• acknowledged progress, both tangible and intangible, being made across Scotland
• noted progress in analysing the StART tool
• reminded members about the upcoming anniversary event on 24 October in Aberdeen, emphasising registration deadline of 27 September 2024

Charles Rocks praised the deep-dive learning sessions provided through the Knowledge Exchange programme

Discussion on the group's potential role in procurement selection process for research work:

• Lesley Swanson clarified that current procurement is live and open to any organisation to submit a tender
• the Chair proposed considering the group's views in both current and future procurement processes

Scottish Child Interview Model (SCIM) update by Jillian Ingram:

• provided background on Joint Investigative Interviews (JII) and how JII/SCIM aligns with Bairns' Hoose
• outlined progress of JII/SCIM implementation and its positive impact on children and families
• emphasised that SCIM will play a part in every Bairns' Hoose

Lorrette Nicol, Kate Rocks, Charles Rocks, and Alistair Hogg welcomed the update and agreed on SCIM's integral role in the Bairns' Hoose programme

Jillian Ingram noted that the JII team had its final meeting and work continues to future-proof the programme

Actions

• 1.5 Members to confirm that attendees to the Bairns’ Hoose anniversary event on 24 October 2024 in Aberdeen have to be registered by Friday 27 September 2024
• 1.6 Scottish Government to circulate the National Joint Investigative Interviewing Project Status Report June 2024

Any other business

Lesley Swanson introduced the findings of the short-life working group report on children in conflict with the law within the scope of Bairns' Hoose:

• provided an overview of the short-life working group's findings
• acknowledged that not all group members would be familiar with the report

Lesley Swanson announced updates to the Bairns' Hoose vision, values, and approach:

• the updates will reflect relevant recommendations made by the short-life working group
• will include more general updates to ensure the vision accurately reflects the current state of the programme

Actions

• 1.3 Scottish Government to circulate the recommendations produced by the short-life working group concerning Children in Conflict with the Law and Bairns’ Hoose
• 1.4 Scottish Government to update the Bairns’ Hoose vision, values and approach in consideration of the recommendations outlined in 1.3 of the short-life working group report and, circulate to members for further discussion and  agreement

Closing remarks

The Chair thanked attendees and speakers, welcoming reflections to be sent via email.