Fewer children and young people should end up in care, thanks to a £500 million SNP Government fund to help support families to stay together.
The Whole Family Wellbeing Fund will help families to overcome challenges before they reach crisis point.
The fund aims to significantly reduce the number of children and young people in care by 2030 and will provide support on a range of issues, including:
Child and adolescent mental health
Child poverty
Alcohol and drugs misuse
Educational attainment
In 2020 the SNP Government made a commitment to thousands of care experienced children and adults to Keep The Promise. This includes that “where children are safe in their families and feel loved they must stay – and families must be given support together to nurture that love and overcome the difficulties which get in the way”.
Deputy First Minister John Swinney MSP said:
“Our ambition is that, from 2030, we will invest at least 5% of all community-based health and social care spend in preventative whole family support measures that will enable us to continue to Keep The Promise.
“This prevention focus, will enable the building of universal, holistic support services, available in communities across Scotland, giving families access to the help they need, where and when they need it.”
Kenneth Gibson MSP said:
“Family life and circumstances aren’t always easy. There are a million reasons that could produce challenges that seem insurmountable and I know there are many families across North Ayrshire and Scotland who will really benefit from this support.
“In addition, as part of the work to Keep The Promise, young care leavers will be able to access a new Care Experience Grant.
“The £200 a year grant for 16 to 26 year olds, backed by annual investment of up to £10 million, recognises the financial disadvantages often experienced by those in care and is the right thing to do for those who haven’t had the best start in life.”
ENDS
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