The chamber will meet at 1.15pm for a members' debate on UN International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

This will be followed by questions to the communities, social security and equalities ministers.

Image source, PA

But the mainstay of the day is of course the final stage of the EU Continuity Bill.

MSPs will consider the 68 amendments from roughly 2.40pm.

The general debate kicks off at 6.30 and decision time will be at 7.30pm.

Stay tuned.

Labour MSP Mary Fee argues care leavers need more support than exempting them from council tax.

Maree Todd accepts that more needs to be done.

Donald Henderson from the Scottish government says conversations will be had when proper statistics are available.

Some local authorities do not fully understand the legal rights of care leavers and the Scottish government will seek to work with COSLA on this, he adds.

Support is "not limited to bricks and mortar," Mr Henderson says.

Image source, Getty Images

Last May we reported that five people who grew up in care had been placed at the heart of a review of the system, the first minister has said.

Nicola Sturgeon spoke out as she confirmed that a full independent review group had been established to examine the care system.

It is chaired by Fiona Duncan, chief executive of Lloyds TSB Foundation for Scotland.

And it includes five people who have experience of being in care, including Rosie Moorre and Kevin Browne.

Read more here.

Image source, bbc

Last week the committee took evidence on the Independent Care Review from:

• Independent Care Review chiar Fiona Duncan

and the care experienced:

• Discovery Group Member Rosie Moore
• Discovery Group Member Kevin Browne

Watch the evidence session at the Scottish Parliament TV archive here., external

The minister says it is "unacceptable" that some people who are entitled to continuing care are not receiving it.

Ms Todd says funding has been provided to build capacity in the sector.

"We are absolutely listening and we are absolutely determined to improve this situation."

Labour MSP Johann Lamont asks the minister the pull together various stakeholders in the sector to discuss experiences.

I am more than willing the consider meeting with these groups, Ms Todd responds.

The Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014, external, extended local authorities’ duties towards care leavers.

They are required to provide services to those who ceased being looked after on or after their 16th birthday.

These vary by age:

 care leavers aged 16 but under 19, must be provided with assistance, “unless satisfied that his welfare does not require it” (this can include services in kind or in cash)

 care leavers aged 19 but under 26, can apply for assistance, and if assessed as having eligible needs, must be provided with assistance

Image source, PA

Care organisations have welcomed the council tax exemption for care leavers after it was announced by the first minister.

Nicola Sturgeon revealed the plan at the SNP conference on Tuesday, which will target people under the age of 26.

The Scottish government expects about 6,000 to 7,000 people to qualify for the exemption.

Charity Who Cares Scotland? said the plan was an incremental step towards an overhaul of the care system in Scotland

At least 21% of care leavers become homeless within five years, according to Scottish government statistics, while they are three times more likely to be unemployed than their peers.

Read more here.

SNP MSP Gillian Martin asks about tackling homelessness upon leaving care.

The minister accepts this is a problem which the Scottish government must deal with.

She points to efforts to deal with the problem, including raising awareness of housing options among young people and exempting care leavers from council tax.

Ms Todd says she is committed to working with Housing Minister Kevin Stewart to solve the problem.

"I am absolutely vexed with the stories I hear."

SNP MSP Gillian Martin asks about continuing care.

Childcare Minister Maree Todd says the first figures will be available shortly, but good quality figures are not likely to come through until later.

She notes she has a meeting planned with Labour MSP Kezia Dugdale, who has issues freedom of information requests around the country, which Ms Todd hopes will help to build a clearer picture.

Image source, bbc

Committee convener begins with a question from Who Cares? Scotland, external.

Here's their submission., external

Last week the committee heard from two care experienced young people and from Fiona Duncan about ‘Root and Branch Review of Care’.

The committee heard about its inclusive approach, grounded in the experiences of young people.

The following suggested themes pick up on other areas of Scottish government policy of relevance to care experienced young people and looked after children: the child protection review, continuing care and homelessness.

• THEME 1: Kinship and Foster Care
• THEME 2: Child Protection Review
• THEME 3: Continuing Care and support for care leavers

Read more here., external

Image source, bbc

George Adam apologises for sounding like Lt Columbo and asks if there is difficulty with HMRC and data sharing.

Ms Todd says she is disappointed frustrated with the data sharing.

In October we reported on the launch of a campaign with the aim of recruiting 11,000 people into childcare in Scotland.

The recruitment drive aims to encourage more school leavers into the profession to support government plans to expand early learning and childcare.

Image source, bbc

Ministers aim to expand funded childcare to 1,140 hours per year, or 30 hours per week, by 2020.

Launching the drive, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said a career in the profession was "hugely rewarding".

Ms Sturgeon announced a doubling in funding for early years education during her SNP conference speech, hailing the childcare commitment as being "unmatched anywhere else in the UK".

Green MSP Ross Greer again raises the £400m figure for infrastructure.

Joe Griffin explains it is an indicative figure for assisting with planning and agrees to come back to the committee with a breakdown.

The Scottish government is working extremely closely with local authorities on construction, Mr Griffin adds, and expresses confidence that agreement on what is required will be "quite a quick process".

Image source, bbc

Labour MSP Mary Fee says childminders are a very valuable asset but she asks how the educational outcomes will be assessed.

Ms Todd says childminders are regualted at the moment.

Joe Griffin from the Scottish government says childminders do not have to be qualified at the moment.

Mr Girfin says a more integrated inspectorate is being looked at.

SNP MSP Ruth Maguire asks about the role of childminders in the expansion.

"Childminders are a great option for some families," says the minister.

She says childminders were included in the trial because the Scottish goverment agrees they must be involved in the rollout of 1,140 hours.

The Scottish government is "provider neutral", adds Ms Todd, stating it has no specific preference for who provides the childcare as long as the national standard is met.

Image source, bbc

Ms Todd says nearly 100% of places for three and four year olds are taken up.

The minister says increasing childcare will naturally increase flexibility.

Ms Lamont asks if increasing the charged amount by 50% is in line with government policy.

Ms Todd says it is for local government to decide that.