Residential Childcare Reference Group: terms of reference

Purpose

The purpose of the group is to provide advice and guidance to the Scottish Government on key issues affecting Residential Childcare. This includes considering forecasting need, commissioning and workforce requirements, as well as the Promise’s statement that “there is no place for profiting in how Scotland cares for its children”.

The group will also oversee the work of relevant working groups to be established to explore key themes in more depth (e.g. definitions of profit, workforce pathways, Children’s charter of rights).

Membership

The group will be chaired by Richard Wilkins, Head of Residential Childcare within the Scottish Government.

A full membership list is available.

Members may nominate a colleague from their organisation to deputise on their behalf should they be unable to attend a meeting.

Below organisations will not attend meetings on a regular basis but will receive meeting papers and may join the meetings if the subject is relevant:

• Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC)
• Children and Young People's Centre for Justice (CYPCJ)
• Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA)

​​​​​​​Accountability and governance

As a member of the group, you may have access to confidential policy documents and be involved in discussions that may lead to recommendations to Ministers. Material generated by the group should remain confidential while these discussions are ongoing.

It should be highlighted that information and the notes of proceedings will fall subject to the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002. Therefore, it may be appropriate to release notes of meetings. These meetings however are conducted under the 'Chatham House Rule'. Records of meetings will not attribute comments or advice to particular members. This is to encourage openness and the free exchange of information amongst participants.

Should you find that a conflict of interest arises between your business/work interests and your role on the group, we would advise that it is incumbent on you to identify such to the Scottish Government. Officials can provide further guidance if required. Otherwise, we would simply reiterate the need to maintain confidentiality on relevant matters.

Meetings

The group will meet on a quarterly basis. Meetings will be convened on a hybrid basis using MS Teams or in person at a Scottish Government office.

The group will reassess its purpose, and terms of reference if required, in Spring 2027. 

Secretariat will be provided by the Scottish Government, this will include distribution of papers ahead of meetings and circulation of high level minutes after meetings.

Minutes and updated papers will circulated by correspondence for approval with a deadline after meetings. Minutes will be published on the Scottish Government website.

Members should contact ChildrensResidentialCare@gov.scot for any queries related to the group. ​​​​​​​