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Ministerial Foreword
Putting the child at the heart of children's
services
Phase I of the
consultation on the Children's Hearings system raised
fundamental questions, not only about that system, but also
about the services and systems around the hearings system.
That is why, in this consultation, we are seeking views on
how to improve children's services and on our proposals for
action to achieve the desired change, including
improvements to the Children's Hearings system. This
affects all agencies and services who provide care and
support for children and their families. This includes
local authorities, police,
NHS Scotland and voluntary sector
organisations.
We want to make sure that the child is at the heart of
children's services. Decisions about children must be based
on what they need to help.
There is already a range of activity underway to improve
the way in which we provide support for children and
families and we intend to build on this.
Everyone has a responsibility to do the right thing for
each child and we must all work towards a unified approach,
with less bureaucracy and more freedom to get on and
deliver services for children. This will mean earlier help
and the child getting the right service at the right time
packaged for their particular needs.
Children and parents should know what to expect of
public agencies and what is expected of them. Developing a
unified approach to children's services will require
changes in culture with different ways of working to
deliver effective children's services.
Agencies should tackle problems as early as possible,
only referring to the Children's Hearings system where
clearly necessary.
All this has implications for the way services are
structured and planned, with a stronger focus on outcomes
for children, and on what works. This will make a real
difference for children.
We will achieve our aim by developing from the Children
(Scotland) Act 1995 and placing new statutory duties on
agencies. Processes will be streamlined. We expect earlier
and more coordinated action by agencies and fewer referrals
to a strengthened and modernised Children's Hearings
system. We will empower and value both front line services
and panel members.
This is a challenging agenda and everyone involved in
children's services has to share in the responsibility for
taking action to deliver it. It will not happen overnight
but we will start the process now.
MSP
Minister for Education and Young People
Euan Robson
MSP
Deputy Minister for Education and Young People
Vision for children
Our ambition for the children of Scotland is that they
should be ambitious for themselves and be:
confident individuals
effective contributors
successful learners
responsible citizens
To achieve our vision, children need to be:
- Safe: Children and young people should
be protected from abuse, neglect and harm by others at
home, at school and in the community.
- Nurtured: Children and young people
should live within a supportive family setting, with
additional assistance if required, or, where this is
not possible, within another caring setting, ensuring a
positive and rewarding childhood experience.
- Healthy: Children and young people
should enjoy the highest attainable standards of
physical and mental health, with access to suitable
healthcare and support for safe and healthy lifestyle
choices.
- Achieving: Children and young people
should have access to positive learning environments
and opportunities to develop their skills, confidence
and self esteem to the fullest potential.
- Active: Children and young people
should be active with opportunities and encouragement
to participate in play and recreation, including
sport.
- Respected and responsible: Children,
young people and their carers should be involved in
decisions that affect them, should have their voices
heard and should be encouraged to play an active and
responsible role in their communities.
- Included: Children, young people and
their carers should have access to high quality
services, when required, and should be assisted to
overcome the social, educational, physical,
environmental and economic barriers that create
inequality.
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