Stand Up For Siblings is encouraging as many people as possible to complete a survey on experiences of Children’s Hearings during lockdown. A research team based at the University of Strathclyde is gathering the views and experiences of people participating in Children’s Hearings during the Coronavirus pandemic.

They are conducting a survey from now until 29 June 2020.

The purpose in undertaking the research is to help inform improvements relating to the conduct of virtual Children’s Hearings.

The research team are interested in hearing from young people, parents, other family members, carers, social workers, reporters, advocates, solicitors, safeguarders, panel members, or anybody else who might want to share their views and experience.

You can access the survey here – www.celcis.org/CHsurvey

The Stand Up for Siblings coalition is delighted that yesterday’s debate in the Scottish Parliament signalled such strong support among MSPs for changing the law to support brothers and sisters in care.

MSPs were debating the Children (Scotland) Bill at Stage 1 of the overall 3 stages the Bill will go through. If passed, the Bill will create a new binding legal duty on Scottish local authorities to take steps to promote, on a regular basis, personal relations and direct contact between a child in their care and their siblings, where those steps are practicable and appropriate.

MSPs from all parties spoke of the tremendous impact evidence heard – above all from Oisin King, a care experienced member of Who Cares? Scotland – had had in illustrating why the law needs to change to support brothers and sisters in the care system.

Far too often, siblings are separated when entering care and lose touch against their will.

The Justice Committee had set out its recommendations on 1 May, which Stand Up for Siblings warmly welcomed here.

In its response to the committee, the Scottish Government indicated that although it agreed with some of the recommendations, it did not agree that the word ‘practicable’ should be removed from the Bill.

However, in the debate yesterday Minister for Community Safety Ash Denham MSP agreed to look at the provision again.

In its evidence and supplementary evidence, Stand Up for Siblings called for the removal of ‘practicable’ because of concerns that it could lead to local authorities failing to promote contact for reasons such as a lack of resources. We are pleased that this will now be considered in meetings between MSPs and the Minister.

We look forward to continuing to contribute to this vital debate as the Bill moves into Stage 2. You can read a transcript of the Scottish Parliament debate here and watch it here.

Members of the Stand Up for Siblings coalition are listed here.

Yesterday, in a response to a question in the Scottish Parliament on the progress made implementing the conclusions of the Independent Care Review, Deputy First Minister John Swinney announced that Fiona Duncan has been appointed to Chair the independent oversight group responsible for the next phase of implementation.

He said: “We will work with Fiona Duncan to put in place the necessary arrangements to ensure that the Promise is implemented in the way that the Review, care experienced people and the wider sector envisaged.”

This appointment will be hugely welcomed by the many groups and individuals seeking reform of our care system. Stand Up For Siblings looks forward to making a contribution to the change that is coming.

Stand Up For Siblings welcomes the Children (Scotland) Bill stage 1 report published today by the Scottish Parliament. The report makes four important recommendations in relation to contact with siblings. These are:

“Recommendation: The Scottish Government should before Stage 2 provide further details on how the changes which will result from the Independent Care Review will enable local authorities to fulfil the duty in section 10 of the Bill. This should include information on proposed timescales and specific budgets that will be provided to individual local authorities for the purposes of promoting sibling contact.”

“Recommendation: The Scottish Government should work with COSLA and others, such as Stand Up For Siblings, to assess what measures are required in the short term to implement section 10 of the Bill. This should include an assessment of any additional resources required by local authorities.”

“Recommendation: The Scottish Government should amend the Bill at Stage 2 to remove the “practicable” qualification from section 10.”

“Recommendation: The Scottish Government should amend the Bill at Stage 2 to remove references to “half-blood” and “whole-blood” from section 10.”

Stand Up For Siblings partners look forward to working closely with key groups including children and young people to continue to address this issue. It is important that attention continues to be paid to this issue at a time when disruption to family relationships is a reality for many. The full report of the Committee is available here.

Recently we were reminded on social media that from time to time everyone, no matter what their status or role, needs the support of their brothers and sisters.  This came as the First Minister’s sister came to her defence in response to online criticisms.

At times of personal or public crisis, more than ever, we need the support of our loved ones to look out for us and protect our mental wellbeing.

Today, Friday 10 April is not only Good Friday, but it is National Siblings Day and children and young people in care across the UK will find themselves living apart from brothers and sisters and uncertain when, or how they will be supported to stay in touch and provide each other with comfort and reassurance.

Here at Stand Up For Siblings we believe that more can be done to protect the rights and promote the wellbeing of siblings. We continue to work together to influence the law, policy and practice across Scotland.

Keep visiting the latest news section of our website to find out more about this important issue and how you can support our movement for change.