The Scottish Office (Back)
Scotland's Children
Children (Scotland) Act 1995
Implementation Newsletter No 4
 
Implementation news round-up
Consultation news
The consultation process on rules, regulations and guidance for the Children (Scotland) Act 1995 which began in April last year has now finished.
Comments from local authorities and a wide range of organisations were received on all of the individual papers and these were very useful in helping to produce the final material
 
You Matter
A new information booklet on the Children (Scotland) Act 1995, written especially for children and young people, has been launched.
You Matter, produced by the Scottish Child Law Centre for The Scottish Office and the Scottish Courts Administration, explains the significance of Part I of the Act to young people, particularly those whose parents are separating or divorcing and who may have to come into contact with the courts as a result.
The booklet was launched at a conference organised by the Scottish Child Law Centre. Lord James Douglas-Hamilton MP, speaking at the event, said that he hoped the new Act would lead to a better understanding by parents and children of the challenges and benefits of family life.
Copies of You Matter are available from Helen Grosset, The Scottish Office Home Department, V 1 Spur, Saughton House, Broomhouse Drive, Edinburgh EH11 3XD. Tel: 0131 244 3458.
 
Commencement Order No. 3
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton has now signed Commencement Order No. 3 to bring Parts II, III etc of the Act into force from 1 April this year.
The one exception is the introduction of new adoption allowance schemes, which require the drawing up of new arrangements by local authorities and the phasing out of current arrangements. This provision is therefore brought into force on 1 April 1998.
Eleven sets of rules and regulations were laid in Parliament on 31 December 1996 and also come into force from 1 April this year. They are:
  • The Children's Hearings (Scotland) Rules
  • The Children's Hearings (Transmission of Information etc) (Scotland) Regulations
  • The Fostering of Children (Scotland) Regulations
  • The Refuges for Children (Scotland) Regulations
  • The Adoption Allowance (Scotland) Regulations
  • The Emergency Child Protection Measures (Scotland) Regulations
  • The Residential Establishments - Child Care (Scotland) Regulations
  • The Secure Accommodation (Scotland) Regulations
  • The Arrangements to Look After Children (Scotland) Regulations
  • The Adoption Agency (Scotland) Regulations
  • The Children (Reciprocal Enforcement of Prescribed Orders etc. (England and Wales and Northern Ireland)) (Scotland) Regulations
Regulations on Panel of Safeguarders, Reporting Officers and Curators ad litem will also be laid shortly and will come into force on 1 April this year. A further Statutory Instrument is currently being prepared to provide for transitional provisions. It will also be necessary to update the Reporters (Conduct of Proceedings before the Sheriff) (Scotland) Regulations 1975.
Three directions have been made - the Plans for Services for Children Directions 1996, the Adoption Allowances Schemes Direction 1996 and the Publication of Information about Services for Children Direction 1996 - the effect of which is to give local authorities one year from 1 April for preparation of services plans, adoption allowance schemes and publication of information on services for children.