Minister for Children, Young People and the Promise

The Minister for Children, Young People and The Promise is a junior ministerial post in the Scottish Government. As a junior minister, the holder does not attend the Scottish Cabinet. The incumbent reports to the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, who has overall responsibility for the portfolio, and is a member of Cabinet.

Minister for Children, Young People and The Promise
Scottish Gaelic: Ministear na Cloinne, na h-Òigridh agus An Gealladh
Incumbent
Natalie Don
since 29 March 2023
StyleMinister
(within parliament)
Children's Minister
(informal)
Scottish Children's Minister
(outwith Scotland)
Member of
Reports toScottish Parliament
SeatEdinburgh
AppointerFirst Minister
Inaugural holderAdam Ingram
Minister for Children and the Early Years
Formation17 May 2007
Salary£106,185 per annum (2024)[1]
(including £72,196 MSP salary)
Websitewww.gov.scot

The Minister for Children, Young People and The Promise has specific responsibility for the social services workforce, childcare and preschool, children's services, children's hearings and the Care Inspectorate.[2] The current holder of the role is Natalie Don who was appointed in March 2023 upon the formation of the First Yousaf Government.

Overview

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The post holder is responsible for:[3]

History

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From 1999 to 2000, responsibility for Children and Early Years rested with the Minister for Children and Education, which became the Minister for Education, Europe and External Affairs in the McLeish Government of 2000 to 2001. From 2001 to 2007 the portfolio rested with the Minister for Education and Young People.

The Salmond government, elected following the 2007 Scottish Parliament election created the junior post of the Minister for Children and Early Years to assist the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills. The post was renamed Minister for Children and Young People in June 2018.[4]

The post was further renamed in March 2023 when Humza Yousaf became First Minister to Minister for Children, Young People and Keeping the Promise, before later being changed to Minister for Children, Young People and the Promise when Yousaf was replaced by John Swinney. This was to further the work that the Scottish Government had taken forward for those young people who are or had been care experienced.[3]

Minister

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The current Minister for Children, Young People and the Promise is Natalie Don.[3]

Name Portrait Entered Office Left Office Party First Minister
Minister for Children and the Early Years
Adam Ingram   17 May 2007 20 May 2011 Scottish National Party Alex Salmond
Minister for Children and Young People
Angela Constance   20 May 2011 7 December 2011 Scottish National Party Alex Salmond
Aileen Campbell   7 December 2011 18 December 2014
(on maternity leave)
Scottish National Party Alex Salmond
Nicola Sturgeon
Fiona McLeod   18 December 2014 31 August 2015 Scottish National Party Nicola Sturgeon
Aileen Campbell   31 August 2015 18 May 2016 Scottish National Party Nicola Sturgeon
Minister for Childcare and Early Years
Mark McDonald   18 May 2016 7 November 2017 Scottish National Party Nicola Sturgeon
Maree Todd   7 November 2017 27 June 2018 Scottish National Party Nicola Sturgeon
Minister for Children and Young People
Maree Todd   27 June 2018 20 May 2021 Scottish National Party Nicola Sturgeon
Clare Haughey   20 May 2021 28 March 2023 Scottish National Party Nicola Sturgeon
Minister for Children, Young People and the Promise
Natalie Don   28 March 2023[a] Incumbent Scottish National Party Humza Yousaf
  1. ^ As Minister for Children, Young People and Keeping the Promise from 29 March 2023 to 8 May 2024.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "MSP salaries". parliament.scot. The Scottish Parliament. 10 May 2024.
  2. ^ "Ministerial responsibilities: Education portfolio". Scottish Government. 16 November 2012. Retrieved 15 July 2014.
  3. ^ a b c "Minister for Children, Young People and the Promise". www.gov.scot. Retrieved 11 June 2024.
  4. ^ "Minister for Children and Young People". Scottish Government. Retrieved 30 June 2018.
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