It's time to back bold action for children, families, and Scotland's future - our call to the next Scottish Parliament.
Barnardo’s Scotland has been supporting children, young people and families for over 100 years – and our purpose remains clear: to help them be safer, happier, healthier and more hopeful.
But today, far too many families still face serious challenges. That’s why we’re calling on the next Scottish Parliament to take bold, practical action to create lasting change.
Our new manifesto sets out clear, experience-led asks. These proposals are informed by our frontline work in over 150 services throughout Scotland – and by the voices of the young people we support.
With 2030 in sight, and major national targets still unmet, now is the time to invest in children – and in Scotland’s future.
Our key asks of the next Scottish Government
Family support in every community
- The next Scottish Government must establish a network of family support services in every community across Scotland, putting an end to the postcode lottery of support, and ensuring families who need it can access support.
Support for children and young people in and leaving care
- Introduce a right to advocacy support for children and young people at all stages in the care planning process, including introduction of an opt-out model of advocacy within the children’s hearing system.
- Expand the free bus travel scheme to include all care-experienced young people under the age of 26.
- Improve financial and housing support for all care experienced children and young people.
There should be more provision of support for children and families living in poverty and on edges of care – and more time given to social workers to allow time to build relationships.
Young person supported by our 16+ Glasgow service
Tackle child poverty
- Immediately increase the Scottish Child Payment to at least £40 per week.
- Immediate expansion of universal free school meal provision to primary 6 and 7s.
Tackle child exploitation
- Launch a new national strategy and action plan, working with partner organisations, to tackle the exploitation of children.
- Invest in Scotland-specific research and data collection on the scale and nature of child abuse and exploitation.
- Invest in enhanced training and support for all professionals working with children and families.
Improve children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing
- Investment in children with mental health support needs.
- A renewed and refocused Pupil Equity Fund.
- A long-term plan for supporting children with additional support needs.
Focus on youth employment, training and skills
- Launch a new Youth Employment Strategy.
- Establish and fully fund a youth-focused Scotland Guarantee employment programme, with specific focus on school leavers who are not in education, employment or training.
- Conduct a review of Foundation Apprenticeships, to extend the scope of these to include 16- and 17-year-olds who have left school early
The term of the next Scottish Parliament will take us to 2030 – a year when we should see the delivery of ambitious targets for child poverty and The Promise. However, despite good intentions and some progress, we are far away from achieving the vision on both. Our manifesto for the next Scottish Government sets out practical asks on a range of issues from family support, to tackling child poverty and improving health and wellbeing that are designed to improve access to support for families who need it most.
Martin Crewe
Director of Barnardo’s Scotland