Residential Care Cross-Border Regulations Guidance Working Group minutes: August 2025

Attendees and apologies

• Stacey Lindsay, Scottish Government
• Claire Grant, Scottish Government
• Rachael Wilson, Scottish Government
• Abby Knowles, Scottish Government
• Neil McKenzie, Police Scotland
• Katy Nisbet, Clan Childlaw
• Laura Doherty, NHS Ayrshire and Arran
• Gary Darroch, Phoenix Abbey
• Christine MacEachen, Care Visions
• Lesley Rodger, Greenleaf House
• Diane Henderson, Highland Council
• Lizette Van Zyl, Moray Council
• Gavin Calder, Harmeny Education Trust
• Tracie McEwan, Education Scotland
• Frances Edwards, Family Rights Group
• Eleanor Kerr, NHS Borders
• Andrea Morrison, Our Promise Scotland
• Amanda Hatton, Edinburgh Council
• Amy Costley, Police Scotland
• Andrew Sloan, Care Inspectorate
• Ross Gibson, Children and Young People’s Centre for Justice
• Laura Bissell, Family Rights Group
• Gary Greenshields, Moore House

Apologies:

• Sonya Holmes, South Lanarkshire Council
• Jayne Brinded, Partners in Advocacy
• John Mackie, East Lothian Council
• Michael Scanlin, Rossie House
• Jayne Miller, NHS Ayrshire and Arran
• Lucy Mackie, Angus Independent Advocacy
• Paula Raymond, East Ayrshire Council
• Charlotte Wilson, Care Inspectorate
• Angela Waddell, Partners in Advocacy
• Kay McKerrel, Who Cares? Scotland
• Margo Ffye, Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland
• Lorna Renwick, NHS Highland
• Gareth Henderson, Police Scotland
• Jennifer Gage, Our Promise Scotland
• Karen McGuigan, NHS Lanarkshire
• Juliet Henderson, Police Scotland
• Sharon Telfer, Care Inspectorate
• Neill Clark, East Ayrshire Advocacy Services
• Steven McPherson, Education Scotland
• Pauline Kuhl, Horizons Residential Care
• Jan Grieve, NHS Borders
• Carrie McCulloch, NHS Lanarkshire
• Eleni Mangina, Our Promise Scotland
• Jillian McFadyen, Partners in Advocacy
• Kerry Kines, Pebbles Care
• Peter Summers, Pebbles Care
• Lesley Mollison, Rossie Young People's Trust
• Rhian Croke, Children's Legal Centre Wales
• Rosemary Robertson, NHS Ayrshire and Arran
• Jayne Miller, NHS Ayrshire and Arran
• Gail Nowek, North Ayrshire Council
• Gordon Todd, Police Scotland
• Lindsay Morris, North Ayrshire Council

Items and actions

1. Purpose of the Meeting

To discuss the draft guidance that had been shared with the group. In particular, the group were asked to consider the draft text for the notice and undertaking, reviews and multi-agency discussions.

2. Agenda Items & Discussion

Item 1: Welcome and introductions

The chair welcomed all attendees.

Item 2: Discussion of notice and undertaking draft guidance

The group reviewed and discussed the notice and undertaking section of the draft guidance that was circulated in advance of the meeting. The group discussed the importance of the multi-agency discussion to build on the information provided as part of the notice and undertaking requirements (for example health information and contacts).

Item 3: Guidance – Review Periods

SG set out the proposals for reviews for cross-border placements into residential care within the regulations. The group were asked to consider how this should be set out in guidance and how guidance might supplement this further. 

The group agreed that aligning the review process with existing requirements in the other nations would be helpful.

The group did not have time to discuss the guidance for multi-agency discussions. SG asked the group to provide feedback in writing following the meeting.

Item 4: Next Steps

The next meeting of the group will take place on 24 September 2025 and will be focused on the proposed enforcement process.

Action

•  Members to provide feedback on the draft guidance for multi-agency discussions
• SG to update the draft guidance and share in advance of the next meeting

3. Next Meeting

Date and Time: 24 September 2025 11:00 – 12:00

Location: MS Teams