Voluntary Sector Support
The Protection of Children (Scotland) Bill was amended
at stage 2 to extend the duty to make referrals to the List
to the voluntary sector. In extending this duty, the then
Minister for Education and Young People gave a commitment
that the Scottish Executive would put in place appropriate
advice, training and guidance to help the voluntary sector
meet the requirements of the legislation.
A working group was established to draw up the
specification for the assistance required and to consider
how this might best be delivered. A Consortium (Children in
Scotland, Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations,
Central Registered Body in Scotland and YouthLink Scotland)
was awarded a grant to develop and deliver the support
package. The package consists of three elements:
- Guidance and training pack in an adaptable and
modular format;
- Awareness raising and training seminars to be held
nationwide; and
- A helpline and web based support.
The awareness raising seminars ran until early October
and were well attended. The guidance pack has been
distributed widely amongst voluntary sector organisations
and individuals and is available on the
CRBS website. A helpline on the 2003
Act is being provided by CRBS with funding from the
Scottish Executive. The number is 01786 849777.