Natalie Don-Innes has marked her final day in the Scottish Parliament ahead of the upcoming election, describing it as an emotional moment as the current parliamentary session came to a close.
The final sitting took place on Wednesday 25th March 2026 bringing an end to the term and signalling the start of the official pre-election period.
Don-Innes, who has represented Renfrewshire North & West and served as Minister for Children, Young People and The Promise, said it had been an honour to serve her constituents.
During her time in government, one of her most significant achievements was leading major reforms to Scotland’s care system through new legislation passed earlier this year.
The Children (Care, Care Experience and Services Planning) (Scotland) Bill was approved by MSPs on Thursday 19th March 2026. The law is designed to help deliver ‘the Promise’ — Scotland’s commitment to reform care following an independent review shaped by more than 5,500 people with experience of care.
The legislation introduces a lifelong right to advocacy for care-experienced people, ensuring individuals have support to make their voices heard in decisions affecting their lives.
It also expands aftercare support, extending help with accommodation, education, employment and wellbeing to those who left care earlier, not just those who were in care on their 16th birthday.
Reforms to the Children’s Hearings System are included, with paid panel chairs to be introduced to reduce delays and improve capacity, alongside wider changes aimed at making the system more responsive to children and families.
Residential childcare providers will also be required to provide financial information to Scottish Ministers, while a new Residential Childcare Futures Reference Group will examine issues including profit in the sector and future regulation.
Support for kinship carers has also been strengthened, including improved access to financial, practical and advocacy support through local authority assessments.
Speaking after the Bill was passed, she said: “This legislation will deliver a very strong package of further change that will help improve the lives of people across Scotland with care experience and those who care for them. It represents a significant milestone and will accelerate progress towards keeping the Promise.
“I am grateful to everyone across the care-experienced community who helped to shape the Bill, and to MSPs across the Parliament whose engagement has resulted in a legislative package that will help greatly improve the support available.”
She also reflected on her time in office as the parliamentary term came to an end.
She said: “It has been an absolute honour to represent the amazing people of Renfrewshire North & West as well as serving as Minister for Children, Young People and The Promise. I will be eternally grateful to everyone who has supported me through this journey and thank you to everyone who put their trust in me to represent them in our Scottish Parliament.”
She also pointed to the wider political picture as Scotland heads towards the next election.
She added: “We have never been closer to Scotland becoming an independent country so this is not goodbye but simply, see you soon.”
For the 2026 Scottish Parliament election, the Renfrewshire North and West constituency will be renamed Renfrewshire North and Cardonald following boundary changes.
The seat, part of the West Scotland region, covers areas including Renfrew, Erskine, Inchinnan and Bishopton, and will now also include the Glasgow Cardonald council ward. It remains a key constituency, taking in major locations such as Glasgow Airport and Braehead.
Her departure comes as all MSPs stand down ahead of the Scottish Parliament election, with campaigning now set to begin across the country.
A new Parliament will be formed following the vote, with the future makeup of representation in the newly named Renfrewshire North and Cardonald seat to be decided by voters.