Residential Care Charter of Rights Working Group minutes: August 2025

Attendees and apologies

• Claire Grant, Scottish Government
• Stacey-ann Lindsay, Scottish Government
• Rachael Wilson, Scottish Government
• Abby Knowles, Scottish Government
• Loraine Cran, Scottish Government
• Fiona Howe, Scottish Government
• Jane Donaldson, Who Cares? Scotland
• Nick Preston, Partners in Advocacy
• Lorna Renwick, NHS Highland
• Moira Greentree, Why Not Trust
• Kerry Kinnes, Pebbles Care
• Neil McKenzie, Police Scotland
• Katy Nisbet, Clan Childlaw
• Laura Doherty, NHS Ayrshire and Arran
• Emma McGarry, Moore House
• John Mackie, East Lothian Council
• Rhian Croke, Children’s Legal Centre Wales
• Gavin Calder, Harmeny Education Trust
• Frances Edwards, Family Rights Group
• Angela Waddell, Partners in Advocacy
• Andrea Morrison, Our Promise Scotland
• Paula Raymond, East Ayrshire Council
• Kay McKerrell, Who Cares? Scotland
• Tracie Mcewan, Education Scotland

Apologies:

• Adam Hughes, Horizons Residential Care
• Neill Clark, East Ayrshire Advocacy Services
• Steven McPherson, Education Scotland
• Lesley Rodger, Greenleaf House
• Pauline Kuhl, Horizons Residential Care
• Jan Grieve, NHS Borders
• Carrie McCulloch, NHS Lanarkshire
• Andrew McClelland, North Ayrshire Council
• Eleni Mangina, Our Promise Scotland
• Jennifer Gage, Our Promise Scotland
• Jillian McFadyen, Partners in Advocacy
• Jayne Brinded, Partners in Advocacy
• Lesley Mollison, Rossie
• Jayne Miller, NHS Ayrshire and Arran
• Rosemary Robertson, NHS Ayrshire and Arran
• Juliet Henderson, Police Scotland
• Ellis Pitt, Phoenix Abbey
• Peter Summers, Pebbles Care
• Nikki Spears, East Ayrshire Advocacy Services

Items and actions

1. Purpose of the Meeting

The meeting focussed on the draft work plan, identifying relevant existing resources for the charter, and exploring ways to engage children and young people.

2. Agenda Items & Discussion

Item 1: Welcome

The chair welcomed all attendees.

Item 2: Review of previous actions

The chair reviewed actions from the previous meeting, highlighting those still outstanding. They confirmed that no comments had been received on the updated Terms of Reference (ToR), which have now been published. Jane Donaldson (JD) reported that she had asked other advocacy organisations about current issues affecting young people in residential care and would share information after the meeting.

Action: JD to share information on current issues affecting young people in residential care (complete)

Item 3: Discussion of draft work plan

The group discussed the high-level work plan, shared in advance, noting it would evolve as work progressed.

Item 4: Consideration of rights/resources to be considered as part of the charter

The group noted existing leaflets such as, if you are on a Deprivation of Liberty Order in Scotland, you have rights, for children placed on Deprivation of Liberty (‘DOL’) orders.

The group noted the need to consider the difference in rights and entitlements for children placed into residential care (for example Scottish children, UASC and children placed cross-border). The need to map various care journeys was discussed.

The group noted importance of UNCRC and reflected on work already underway in Scotland to raise awareness.

Item 5: Exploring how best to engage with children and young people and at what stage

The chair invited views on how and when to engage with children and young people in developing the charter. The group agreed they should be involved as early as possible.

Action: Group to share details of existing networks that could be used to engage with children and young people

Action: SG to follow up with the Care Inspectorate on existing resources to support engagement with young people

3. Next Meeting

Date and Time: 22nd October 2025 11:00 – 12:00

Location: MS Teams