Minutes: 17 September 2025

1. Subordinate legislation:

The Committee considered the following negative instrument—

Teachers’ Pensions (Remediable Service) (Scotland) Amendment (No. 2) Regulations 2025

The Committee made no comment on the instrument.

2. Children (Care, Care Experience and Services Planning) (Scotland) Bill:

The Committee took evidence on the Bill at Stage 1 from—

Stephen Bermingham, Senior Policy and Standards Manager, Children's Hearings Scotland;

Matt Forde, Partnerships & Development Director, NSPCC Scotland;

Margaret Smith, Services Manager, Partners in Advocacy;

Alistair Hogg, Head of Practice and Policy, Scottish Children's Reporter Administration (SCRA);

Laura Pasternak, Policy & Public Affairs Manager, Who Cares? Scotland;

and then from—

Lynne O'Brien, Chief Officer for Children and Families, Aberlour;

Duncan Dunlop;

Jo Derrick, CEO, Scottish Throughcare and Aftercare Forum (Staf);

Natalie Williams, Head of Policy and Campaigns, The Fostering Network.

3. Evidence Session (In Private):

The Committee considered the evidence it heard earlier under agenda item 2.