Thursday September 17th 2026
Visit from Fiona Duncan, Independent Strategic Advisor of the Promise Scotland. From left to right – Fee Taylor, Programme Lead Promise Scotland; Cllr Kelly Parry, Council Leader; Rebecca Hooton, Chief Officer Children’s Services, Partnerships and Communities; Claire Brookes, Promise and Corporate Parenting lead at Midlothian Council; Fiona Duncan, Independent Strategic Advisor of the Promise Scotland; Derek Oliver, Executive Director for Children, Young People and Partnerships, and Cllr Ellen Scott, Cabinet Member for Education and Young People.
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Liam Eunson
Midlothian Council has launched its new Promise and Corporate Parenting Plan 2026-2030, setting out a shared commitment to improving the lives, experiences and opportunities of children and young people with care experience.
The plan has been shaped by feedback from children and young people. It is centred on the shared Promise Scotland commitment that all children and young people who experience care grow up loved, safe and respected.
Read the Corporate Parenting and Promise Plan 2026-2030 here.
The plan will help guide the council and its partners as they continue working to ensure children and young people with care experience have the support, opportunities and relationships they need to thrive.
The plan’s launch was attended by Council Leader Cllr Kelly Parry and Cabinet Member for Education and Young People Cllr Ellen Scott, who highlighted the importance of upholding The Promise and meeting the council’s Corporate Parenting responsibilities.
Councillor Kelly Parry said: “Every child and young person deserves to feel loved, safe, respected and supported to achieve their potential. As corporate parents, we have a responsibility to listen to care experienced children and young people, understand what matters to them and provide the same care and encouragement that any good parent would.
“Over the next four years, we will continue working with our partners to build strong relationships, improve support and create positive opportunities, helping us keep The Promise and achieve better outcomes for care experienced children and young people in Midlothian.”
The event follows a visit from Fiona Duncan, Independent Strategic Adviser to The Promise Scotland. Fiona is visiting all 32 local authorities across Scotland to learn about progress being made to keep The Promise.
Following her visit to Midlothian, Fiona Duncan said: “What came through today really strongly is relationships, and how hard everybody has worked to ensure there are good, meaningful and trusting relationships between children and families.”
Find out more about The Promise in Midlothian here.
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