Ahead of the election, the Declaration of Island Priorities, developed with SIF members, has been published and shared with all candidates standing for island seats. Covering childcare and care we asked the next Scottish Parliament to:
- Develop funding, regulatory and delivery models tailored to small island communities, recognising higher operating costs, transport needs, and limited economies of scale, and embedding the recommendations of the HIREP Childcare Evidence Report.
- Invest in innovative and flexible models of care that enable older and vulnerable island residents to remain in their communities, ensuring no one is forced to leave their island home and support networks to access the care they need.
- Take targeted action to reduce social isolation, improve mental health and prevent suicide in island communities.
- Support recruitment, training and retention of care workers within island communities.
- Ensure island lived experience and expertise meaningfully shapes policy and decision-making, embedding island perspectives at each stage of design, delivery and evaluation.