This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
Listen
New powers to reform children's services
19/12/2006
A consultation got under way today on plans to modernise and improve services for children in the draft Children's Services (Scotland) Bill.
The move is the latest stage in the Getting it Right for Every Child programme which was developed following a consultation on the future of the children's hearings system. It aims to modernise and improve services for children in Scotland.
The Bill aims to reduce the number of children inappropriately referred to the Children's Reporter. In the past 10 years, the number of children referred has increased from 26,862 to 53,883. Most referrals are due to concerns about health and welfare.
The proposed legislation will:
- Place duties on agencies to work together to provide support for children and make a clear plan for children with complex needs
- Ensure the views of children and their families are taken into account when developing support plans
- Change the grounds of referral so that children are referred to the children's hearings system only where this is necessary
Education Minister Hugh Henry said:
"Every child deserves to get help when they need it. We are committed to reforming children's services so that all children get the best possible start in life.
"We need to be confident that there are strong, professional and linked services to care for children, and that professionals are clear about their roles and responsibilities.
"We know that the children's hearing system has dealt very effectively with both the needs and deeds of young people in Scotland for the past 30 years. Our consultation confirmed the system works and is respected.
"But reform is needed to cope with the challenges of children's lives in the 21st century. The current level of referrals is not sustainable and too many children are going through the system as a way of accessing support and services. This slows everything down.
"These plans will make sure that agencies are alert to all children, they take action immediately and work together to provide help, without fuss or bureaucracy - so that children and young people can overcome any problems they may have and go on to fulfil their potential."
The consultation on the draft Bill will run until 31 March 2007. The consultation is available online at www.scotland.gov.uk/childrensservicesbill
A consultation on modernising the children's hearings system, Getting It Right for Every Child - proposals for action, ran from June-September 2005. It set out plans to reduce the number of children going unnecessarily through the children's hearings system and to improve the support available to children who need help. http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2005/06/20135608/56098
An implementation plan was published in June 2006. It set out areas where changes could and would be implemented without the need for legislation by developing new working practices, leading to a single, joined up system for dealing with children who need support. http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2006/06/22092413/0