We need action now, not promises in future - Scotsman leader

They have described children sleeping on sofas, toddlers being placed in residential units with teenagers and newborns being left in the care of hospital nurses.

In a stark warning over the acute lack of suitable homes and carers for children, Scotland’s 32 chief social work officers say “the lack of options increases the risk of harm to children from physical, sexual, emotional abuse or exploitation and neglect”.

Social workers are being forced to take children home with them due to a chronic shortage of suitable care.

They detail a system close to collapse but for the commitment of foster carers and care staff.

“Some carers have not had a break in many months, and in some parts of the country social workers have had to take children home with them, as no other safe options are available.

“This is an emergency for Scotland’s care system.”

The enormous dedication and compassion of Scotland’s social workers often goes unseen.

But they are there in every community across Scotland, working tirelessly to intervene and save lives.

The tragedy is they are in a profession where we rarely hear about the success stories, only when things go wrong.

The message today that they are at breaking point is clear and must be heeded.

This is clearly a situation which cannot wait for the SNP to keep ‘The Promise’ to care-experienced young people.

In her last speech to Holyrood, Nicola Sturgeon said: “The Promise must be kept by 2030 and I believe it can be, but it will require a monumental effort from the next government and the next parliament.”

There is a pressing need of action now, not promises in the future.