Scotland’s local authority umbrella body has warned a Bill due to go to a final vote on Wednesday is “not deliverable”.
The Children (Care, Care Experience and Services Planning) (Scotland) Bill aims to allow those who have left care before their 16th birthday to receive aftercare services until their 26th birthday, as well as provide for life-long advocacy services.
But in a statement released on Tuesday, Cosla warned over the costs of the Bill, if it is backed by MSPs.
Estimates of costs of up to about £270 million by the end of the decade have raised concern among councils, with Cosla saying they may be underestimates.
The body has urged the Government to pause the Bill and bring it back after the election to allow for greater scrutiny.
Tony Buchanan, the Cosla spokesman for children and young people, said: “We share the ambition to improve outcomes for children and young people, and remain fully committed to the promise, but this Bill as currently drafted is not deliverable.
“Without credible planning, realistic costings and a strong evidence base, there is a real risk of unintended consequences and missed opportunities for meaningful reform.
“Cosla is urging policymakers to undertake more detailed analysis before progressing legislation of this scale.
“This includes clearer cost modelling, stronger evidence of impact, and alignment with long-term reform goals.”
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Ministers are committed to Keeping The Promise by 2030 and are determined to work with councils and partners to achieve that.
“We are seeing good progress across Scotland from education to justice, including an 18% reduction since 2020 in the number of children identified as ‘in care’.
“If passed by Parliament, the Children (Care, Care Experience, and Services Planning) Scotland Bill will provide a key package of legislative changes needed to support children and families, in addition to wider work to improve the lives of care-experienced young people.
“In order to deliver on the Promise, collective efforts, including this piece of legislation, have to be ambitious and future funding decisions will be set out in the usual way through the Scottish budget process.
“Ministers are committed through the Verity House Agreement to working with Cosla and local government to ensure the sustainability of local services.”
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