Parliamentary Recognition & Government Correspondence

Scottish Government Correspondence – 13 March 2025

Local Government and Analytical Services Division

Following concerns raised about reliance on voluntary provision, the Scottish Government highlighted the principles of the Volunteer Charter, stating:

“Volunteers should not be used instead of paid workers… nor undertake the work of paid workers.”

The response explained that local authorities are independent bodies responsible for their own decisions and outlined routes for escalating unresolved concerns, including the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman and Accounts Commission through Audit Scotland.

Scottish Government Correspondence – 7 April 2025

Promoting Children and Families Wellbeing Unit

The Scottish Government responded to questions we raised regarding funding, local provision, accountability and the role of voluntary organisations.

The correspondence explained that local authorities determine community mental health supports based on locally identified need.

“Volunteers should complement paid professionals in place to deliver any event or service – not replace them.”

Scottish Government Correspondence – 11 April 2025

Local Government and Analytical Services Division

The Scottish Government confirmed that local authorities are responsible for allocating their financial resources according to local needs and priorities, having first fulfilled their statutory obligations.

Scottish Government Correspondence – 27 May 2025

Scottish Government Social Care Support Team

Following concerns raised regarding voluntary provision and support from public services, the Scottish Government outlined the respective responsibilities of national and local bodies.

“The Scottish Government has overall responsibility for health and social care support policy in Scotland, while local authorities and Health and Social Care Partnerships have the responsibility for commissioning appropriate services for local needs.”

Ministerial Correspondence – Natalie Don-Innes MSP – 11 June 2025

The Minister responded to concerns regarding access to appropriate support for children and families and outlined the respective roles of the Scottish Government, NHS Boards and local authorities.

Scottish Government Correspondence – 24 June 2025

The Scottish Government explained that local authorities are legally separate from the Scottish Government and have discretion, within the law, over how they carry out their functions and manage local service delivery.

“Ultimately, it is up to each local authority how it manages its day-to-day business and it is for locally elected representatives to make local decisions on how best to deliver services to their local communities.”

Ministerial Correspondence – Natalie Don-Innes MSP – 15 July 2025

The Minister acknowledged the increasing pressures faced by volunteers, including volunteer fatigue, financial concerns and childcare responsibilities.

“Volunteers like yourself have been on the frontline ensuring that children and families are supported and face many barriers as they seek to help others such as volunteer fatigue, financial concerns and childcare.”

Ministerial Correspondence – Natalie Don-Innes MSP – 19 August 2025

The Minister responded to matters raised regarding funding, local provision and support for children and families.

“It is the statutory responsibility of local authorities to understand need in their area, to determine what level of services are required to meet local needs, and to procure support to meet those needs.”

Ministerial Correspondence – Natalie Don-Innes MSP – 31 October 2025

The Minister outlined the role of Children's Services Planning in assessing local need and planning services for children, young people and families.

The response confirmed that local authorities and Health Boards are required to jointly plan and deliver Children's Services Plans informed by a joint strategic needs assessment.

Ministerial Correspondence – Natalie Don-Innes MSP – 5 December 2025

The Minister recognised the contribution made by volunteers and reiterated that responsibility for understanding local need, determining the level of services required and planning support rests with local authorities.

Ministerial Correspondence – Natalie Don-Innes MSP – 8 January 2026

The Scottish Government responded to questions about responsibility for the ongoing support of children and families accessing Early Intervention Aberdeen.

“We view the sector as an important part of public service delivery but not as a substitute for high quality public services.”

Scottish Government Correspondence – 18 June 2026

Following concerns raised about support for disabled and neurodivergent children in Aberdeen, including reliance on voluntary provision, the Scottish Government acknowledged the contribution Early Intervention has made and the support provided to a significant number of children and families.

“Statutory services remain responsible for ensuring that assessed needs are met, and voluntary provision should complement, rather than replace, these services.”

Ministerial Correspondence – 23 June 2026

A ministerial response from Maree Todd MSP confirmed that responsibility for the planning, coordination and delivery of support under GIRFEC rests with children's and related services operating within local authorities and Health Boards.

Scottish Government Correspondence – 20 July 2026

The Scottish Government recognised the significant contribution Early Intervention Aberdeen has made to disabled and neurodivergent children, young people and families over many years.

The correspondence also acknowledged that this support has often been provided in circumstances where families have experienced difficulties accessing timely support elsewhere.

Ministerial Correspondence – 10 August 2026

The Scottish Government confirmed that decisions concerning local resource allocation, service sufficiency and gaps in provision are made locally, and highlighted the responsibility of Children's Services Planning Partnerships to assess local need, plan services and report on progress.

The Minister also recognised the sustained contribution behind Early Intervention:

“I recognise the considerable commitment Ms Lumsden has shown over a number of years in supporting disabled children, young people and their families.” — Maree Todd MSP, Minister for Children, Young People and The Promise

Scottish Government Correspondence – 18 August 2026

Mental Health and Social Care Directorate

In response to further concerns regarding the sustainability of voluntary provision and its impact on families, the Scottish Government acknowledged the considerable personal and financial commitment involved in continuing to support families through Early Intervention Aberdeen.

The response also recognised the value of hearing directly from families, stating that lived experience “helps inform our ongoing work.”