Seòmar agus comataidhean

Agenda item 3 is an evidence session on the financial memorandum to the Children (Care and Justice) (Scotland) Bill. I welcome to the meeting Natalie Don MSP, Minister for Children, Young People and Keeping the Promise, and her Scottish Government officials: Brendan Rooney, bill manager; Tom McNamara, head of youth justice and children’s hearings; and Helen Duncan from the children and families analysis branch.

I thank you all for coming and welcome you to the meeting. I invite Natalie Don to make a brief opening statement.

When might Parliament see a revised financial memorandum?

So we will have a revised memorandum prior to the completion of stage 1.

So the secure accommodation does not have the funding in place at the moment.

Holidays have to be paid for as well.

Minister, why do you want to reduce the number of cross-border placements?

What do you think will happen to those young people in England?

I think that other members will have a general concern for the welfare of those young people. Also, the secure care sector in Scotland depends on the money that comes from cross-border placements. In evidence given to the Parliament Rossie Young People’s Trust said that approximately 50 per cent of the current cohort of young people are cross-border placements. If your stated intention is delivered, how do you imagine that the sector will continue to be able to meet its costs?

What allowance have you made within the financial memorandum cost for a secure care place at the moment and what will that cost be after the legislation has passed? Is there a difference between the two?

We appear to have lost Professor Flinders. Perhaps Steve Martin could answer Michelle Thomson’s question.