Commenting on the publicationof the concluding report of the children’s services reform research by CELCIS, COSLA’s Children and Young People Spokesperson Councillor Tony Buchanan said:

"We welcome the publication of the concluding report of the children’s services reform research published yesterday by CELCIS and thank the chair of the independent steering group, Professor Brigid Daniel, and team for this important work.

“The research sought to answer the question “What is needed to ensure that children, young people and families get the help they need, when they need it?” and this report provides us with a number of implications for Scotland which we will look to fully consider with Scottish Government and partners. The findings noted that the impact of structural integration on outcomes is inconclusive, therefore it will be important to focus on the areas where we do know the impact - access to support, getting transitions right, relationship based practice, supporting the workforce, adequate resourcing and strong leadership.

“Importantly, a key implication is that action to address poverty and deprivation must be prioritised. This is one of the three shared priorities in the Verity House Agreement and we are already committed to working together with Scottish Government and partners to tackle poverty, particularly child poverty, in recognition of the joint national mission to tackle child poverty. This report emphasises further the importance of this priority.

“We are confident that we can work together with Scottish Government and key partners in the public and third sector to act on the implications for Scotland noted in the report, without the need for structural change at a national level for children’s services."