Child protection
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Public Inquiry into group-based child sexual abuse
Professor Alexis Jay to chair statutory Inquiry.
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National Public Protection Leadership Group: workplan
Workplan of the National Public Protection Leadership Group who provide national multi-agency leadership of public protection across Scotland.
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Review of legislative landscape for children in care
Improving outcomes for children and families.
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Youngest age for getting married - changes to the law: consultation - easy read version
Easy read version of family law consultation about raising the youngest age that you can get married.
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Protecting children from harm
Actions to combat sexual abuse set out alongside next steps in national review.
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Keeping the Promise - health and wellbeing of care experienced children and young people: longitudinal quantitative evidence review
A report by the Promise Data and Evidence Group, exploring how longitudinal quantitative data can support monitoring the health and wellbeing of Scotland’s care experienced children and young people.
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Exploring qualitative outcomes to support progress towards keeping the promise
A report by the Qualitative sub-group of the Promise Data and Evidence Group, summarising findings from work to develop outcomes for the relevant Vision Statements that could be indicated in qualitative data.
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National review of group-based child sexual abuse response
Professor Alexis Jay to chair National Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Strategic Group.
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First Children's Rights Scheme: child friendly version
Child friendly version of the first children's rights scheme as required under section 15 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) (Scotland) Act 2024.
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First Children's Rights Scheme
First children's rights scheme as required under section 15 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) (Scotland) Act 2024.
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Children's Rights Scheme: draft
Draft version of the Children's Rights Scheme under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) (Scotland) Act 2024 (the UNCRC Act). This draft has not yet been laid before the Scottish Parliament.
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Secure bed capacity
Laying the foundations of a more sustainable and resilient care system.
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Bairns' Hoose - Scottish Barnahus: vision, principles and approach
Sets out the vision of how Barnahus should be implemented in Scotland, the principles which should underpin the model and our approach to its practical implementation.
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The Promise Data and Evidence Group 12 Month Work Programme
The Promise Data and Evidence Group’s work programme for June 2025 and June 2026, to bring together analysts from across organisations to improve the data infrastructure and shape long-term research priorities.
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Age assessment practice guidance for Scotland
Good practice guidance to support social workers, their managers and others involved in undertaking and contributing to age assessments in Scotland.
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Age assessment practice guidance for Scotland: child rights and wellbeing impact assessment
This child rights and wellbeing impact assessment (CRWIA) considers the need to update guidance with advice on conducting brief enquiry age assessments.
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Scotland's Redress Scheme: combined annual report 2025
Sets out the actions taken by contributors to the Scheme to redress the historical abuse of children and is a requirement of the Redress for Survivors (Historical Child Abuse in Care) (Scotland) Act 2021.
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The future of secure care
£4.1 million to help restore capacity.
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Child poverty pathfinders in Dundee and Glasgow: phase two evaluation
This independent evaluation reports impacts and learning from the Child Poverty Pathfinders in Dundee and Glasgow, place-based partnerships aimed at system change to tackle child poverty. The evaluation explores engagement, delivery, barriers, impacts and value-for-money insights.
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Child poverty pathfinders in Dundee and Glasgow: phase two evaluation - summary report
This independent evaluation reports impacts and learning from the Child Poverty Pathfinders in Dundee and Glasgow, place-based partnerships aimed at system change to tackle child poverty. The evaluation explores engagement, delivery, barriers, impacts and value-for-money insights.
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Child poverty pathfinders in Dundee and Glasgow: phase two evaluation - report appendices
Appendices to the independent evaluation report on the impacts and learning from the Child Poverty Pathfinders in Dundee and Glasgow . The evaluation examines engagement, delivery, barriers, impacts, and value-for-money considerations.
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Preventing sexual exploitation: evidence summary
This paper is part of series of evidence reviews which aim to explore current understanding of prevention strategies and interventions in relation to human trafficking and exploitation in the UK. This paper focuses on the prevention of sexual exploitation of adults and children.
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Preventing criminal exploitation: evidence summary
This paper is part of series of evidence reviews which aim to explore current understanding of prevention strategies and interventions in relation to human trafficking and exploitation in the UK. This paper focuses on the prevention of criminal exploitation of adults and children.
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Children (Care, Care Experience and Services Planning) (Scotland) Bill: child rights and wellbeing impact assessment
CRWIA for the Children (Care, Care Experience and Services Planning) (Scotland) Bill.
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Redress For Survivors (Historical Child Abuse In Care) (Scotland) Act 2021: statutory guidance – next of kin – updated April 2025
Statutory guidance for Scotland's Redress Scheme. This guidance provides further information on the process and requirements for next of kin applications.
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Redress For Survivors (Historical Child Abuse In Care) (Scotland) Act 2021: statutory guidance – nominated beneficiaries – updated April 2025
Statutory guidance for Scotland's Redress Scheme. This guidance provides further information on nominated beneficiaries.
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Redress For Survivors (Historical Child Abuse In Care) (Scotland) Act 2021: statutory guidance – eligibility – updated April 2025
Statutory guidance for Scotland's Redress Scheme. This guidance provides further information on the eligibility criteria of the scheme.
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Physical punishment and discipline of children: the law
The law covering the physical punishment and discipline of children, such as smacking.
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Child Protection Statistics: 2023-24
An Accredited Official Statistics Publication
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Independent Child Trafficking Guardian service: child rights and wellbeing impact assessment (CRWIA)
Child Rights and Wellbeing Impact Assessment (CRWIA) for the Independent Child Trafficking Guardian Service
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Home education guidance: island communities impact assessment
Impact assessment carried out to consider the potential impact of the home education guidance on island communities.
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Home education guidance: equality impact assessment
Equality impact assessment carried out to consider the potential impacts of the home education guidance.
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Home education guidance updates: child rights and wellbeing impact assessment
Impact assessment to consider the potential impact of the home education guidance on children's rights and wellbeing.
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Scotland's children's services plans 2023-2026 review: improving outcomes for children, young people and families
Review of children's services plans for 2023 to 2026, in line with Part 3 of the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014. This report presents key findings from the review of Scotland’s 30 Children’s Services Plans (CSPs) which cover the planning cycle for 2023 to 2026.
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A decade of care: A corporate parenting update from Scottish Ministers 2021 - 2024
Third report on corporate parenting by Scottish Ministers. In this report, we set out how Scottish Ministers have fulfilled their duties as a corporate parent from 2021 to 2024, to support and improve outcomes for children and young people with care experience.
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'Moving On' from care into adulthood: consultation analysis
An analysis of views shared in the recent consultation on the support available to young people as they leave care and enter adulthood.
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The Promise Story of Progress: How is Scotland doing in its progress towards keeping the promise?
A national report co-authored by COSLA, The Scottish Government and The Promise Scotland, presenting the shared approach to understanding progress towards keeping The Promise.
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Redress For Survivors (Historical Child Abuse In Care) (Scotland) Act 2021 - payment of legal fees and related decisions: statutory guidance - updated November 2024
Statutory guidance for Scotland's Redress Scheme. This guidance provides further information on the payment of legal fees.
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Human rights of children in Scotland: report - child friendly version
Child friendly/easy read version of our action plan 2021 to 2024 progress report.
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Anti-bullying guidance for adults working with children and young people
Guidance for schools and organisations on preventing and responding to bullying between children and young people, including advice on online bullying and recording and monitoring incidents.
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Physical intervention in schools - a relationships and rights based approach: guidance
Guidance on 'Included, engaged and involved part 3: A relationships and rights-based approach to physical intervention in schools'. This guidance is for education authorities grant-aided and independent schools in Scotland on the use of physical intervention.
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Keeping The Promise to our children, young people and families: progress update 2024
In March 2022 we published our Promise implementation plan. Two years on, this update provides a status report on progress so far.
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Violence prevention framework for Scotland: annual progress report 2023 to 2024
The Violence Prevention Framework (2023) sets out a comprehensive range of activity to prevent violence from happening in the first place and to reduce the impact when it does. This report highlights the progress that has been made over 2023 to 2024 with partners on our shared programme.
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Redress For Survivors (Historical Child Abuse In Care) (Scotland) Act 2021 - waiver, contributions and other routes to redress: statutory guidance – updated August 2024
Statutory guidance for Scotland's Redress Scheme. This guidance provides further information on the waiver, the contributions element of the scheme and other routes to redress which applicants may want to consider.
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Redress for Survivors (Historical Child Abuse In Care) (Scotland) Act 2021 statutory guidance - Applications with convictions for serious offences - Updated August 2024
This guidance applies to all those with an interest in connection with the making, or consideration of an application for redress. This includes applicants to the redress scheme, their legal representatives and Redress Scotland, who must have regard to the guidance.
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Redress For Survivors (Historical Child Abuse In Care) (Scotland) Act 2021: statutory guidance – evidential requirements and determinations by Redress Scotland - Updated August 2024
Statutory guidance for Scotland's Redress Scheme. This guidance provides further information on the evidential requirements for the scheme.
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Redress For Survivors (Historical Child Abuse In Care) (Scotland) Act 2021 - annual reports: statutory guidance – updated August 2024
Statutory guidance for Scotland's Redress Scheme. This guidance provides further information on the wider redress reporting requirements for those organisations which contribute to the scheme.
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Redress For Survivors (Historical Child Abuse In Care) (Scotland) Act 2021 - pausing, withdrawing and making more than one application: statutory guidance – updated August 2024
Statutory guidance for Scotland's Redress Scheme. This guidance provides further information on when an applicant can pause, withdraw or make more than one redress application.
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Redress For Survivors (Historical Child Abuse In Care) (Scotland) Act 2021 - assessment framework: statutory guidance - updated August 2024
Statutory guidance for Scotland's Redress Scheme. The assessment framework will be used by Redress Scotland to assist in making determinations on redress payment levels for individually assessed applications.
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Milestone for children’s rights
UN Convention on the Rights of the Child Act commences.
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Making sure that young people have the right support when they leave care: consultation - easy read
This easy read version of the consultation asks for views on the support available to young people as they leave care and become adults.
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National guidance for child protection committees undertaking learning reviews
Guidance (published 2021, updated 2024) to support child protection committees to reflect, learn and improve child protection systems and practice when a child or young person dies, is significantly harmed, or was at risk of death or significant harm or where there was effective practice.
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Roundtable on the end point for anonymity for child victims
Report of roundtable discussion on the end point for anonymity for child victims held on 24 February 2024
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Working with children and young people who have displayed harmful sexual behaviour: evidence based guidance for professionals working with children and young people
Guidance to support professionals who work with children and young people to identify, prevent and mitigate harm caused by children and young people who display harmful sexual behaviour
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Domestic homicide reviews: identifying best practice in learning lessons and implementing change
This working paper outlines 15 aspects of good practice to be considered in the development of a domestic homicide and suicide review model for Scotland. It identifies existing challenges with implementing recommendations from reviews and considers how to define and measure success and impact.
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United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child - concluding observations 2023: SG initial response - child-friendly version
This report explains how the Scottish Government (SG) is responding to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child’s concluding observations. These were published in 2023. This document will tell you about some of the things we are doing to make things better for children and their families in Scotland
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United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child - concluding observations 2023: SG initial response
This report sets out the Scottish Government’s (SG) initial response to the UN Committee’s Concluding Observations. It outlines the progress made in relation to children’s rights in Scotland since the publication of the Position Statement of November 2022
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Child and parental wellbeing: measuring outcomes and understanding their relation with poverty
Enhancing wellbeing is a crucial element of supporting the lives of children, young people and families living in poverty. This report represents a first step in assessing wellbeing outcomes and understanding their relation with poverty for low income families.
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Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020 - accredited body fees and discounting proposals: partial equality impact assessment
Partial equality impact assessment in relation to Disclosure Scotland’s consultation on accredited body fees and proposals for discounting under the PVG scheme.
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Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020 - accredited body fees and discounting proposals: partial fairer Scotland duty summary
Draft fairer Scotland duty summary in relation to Disclosure Scotland’s consultation on accredited body fees and proposals for discounting under the PVG scheme.
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Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020 – accredited body fees and discounting proposals: business and regulatory impact assessment
Partial Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment in relation to Disclosure Scotland’s consultation on accredited body fees and proposals for discounting under the PVG scheme.
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Child protection learning and development 2024: national framework
Framework to support multi-agency learning and development relevant to child protection in Scotland. This highlights key learning for all workforces according to the level of responsibility they have for child protection.
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Prostitution - challenging and deterring men's demand: strategic approach
Sets our our collective approach, working with stakeholders across the wider public and third sector, to challenge and deter men’s demand for prostitution and support those with experience of it.
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The death of a looked after child: guidance
Revised guidance to clarify the roles and responsibilities of agencies specifically in relation to the notification requirements under regulation 6 of the 2009 Regulations on the death of looked after children.
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The Redress for Survivors (Historical Child Abuse In Care) (Scotland) Act 2021: financial contributions - statement of principles
Sets out the principles the Scottish Ministers will use to assess whether an organisation is making a fair and meaningful financial contribution to Scotland's Redress Scheme.
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Hearings for Children report: response
The Scottish Government's response to the Hearings for Children: The report of the Hearings System Working Group.
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Learning Disabilities, Autism and Neurodivergence Bill: consultation
We are committed to protecting, respecting and championing the rights of people with learning disabilities and neurodivergent people. This consultation on proposals for a Learning Disabilities, Autism and Neurodivergence Bill seeks the views of everyone on how we can do this.
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Housing Cladding Remediation (Scotland) Bill: child rights and wellbeing impact assessment - easy read
Easy read version of the children's rights and wellbeing impact assessment (CRWIA) for the Housing (Cladding Remediation) (Scotland) Bill.
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Historic forced adoption - scoping study: research findings
A summary of findings from research to scope the support needs of people affected by historic forced adoption in Scotland.
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Historic forced adoption - scoping study: service delivery paper
Research report identifying critical factors to consider when designing services for people affected by historic forced adoption in Scotland.
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Early child development transformational change programme
Improving early child development by bringing together a programme to provide oversight and better integration of policies. These will focus on prevention, the importance of pre-birth and early years across all policy areas and identify policy and implementation gaps, informed by current evidence.
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Education: National Improvement Framework and improvement plan 2024
Sets out the vision and priorities for Scottish education that have been agreed across the system, and the national improvement activity that needs to be undertaken to help deliver those key priorities.
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Age of Criminal Responsibility (Scotland) Act 2019 - child interview rights practitioners: question and answer guide
Question and answer guide for Child Interview Rights Practitioners (ChIRPs) to provide clarity on practical and procedural matters in relation to age of criminal responsibility investitive that have been raised through feedback.
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National Guidance for Child Protection in Scotland 2021 - updated 2023
This guidance describes the responsibilities and expectations for all involved in protecting children and will support the care and protection of children.
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Whole Family Approach: rapid review of literature
Reviews the evidence on Whole Family Approaches to family support, focussing on examples of best practice in the context of substance use and implications for the training and learning development of substance use practitioners and wider workforce.
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National Islands Plan: implementation route map 2023
Details how we will deliver on the commitments in the National Islands Plan, over the coming year.
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Criminal exploitation: practitioner guidance
Guidance to support a shared understanding of criminal exploitation to help assist with early identification of those at risk from serious organised crime. This guidance also applies to criminal exploitation which is not linked to serious organised crime.
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Children seeking asylum
Launch of new guardianship service.
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Violence Against Women and Girls - Independent Strategic Review of Funding and Commissioning of Services: report - easy read
Easy read version of the Independent Strategic Review of Funding and Commissioning of Violence Against Women and Girls Services report.
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Violence Against Women and Girls - Independent Strategic Review of Funding and Commissioning of Services: report
The Independent Review of Funding and Commissioning of Violence Against Women and Girls Services was led by Lesley Irving, former Head of the Scottish Government’s Equality Unit, who was supported by an Advisory Group comprising key figures from local government, academia and the third sector.
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Transforming children’s experiences of the justice system
New test sites for ‘Bairns’ Hoose’ to be set up.
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Bairns' Hoose – children and young people: participation and engagement plan - easy read
Easy read version of a plan which sets out our approach to participation and engagement, and the actions we will take to make sure that Bairns’ Hoose services best reflect the views of children and young people with lived experience of trauma.
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Bairns' Hoose - project plan: progress report and pathfinder delivery plan 2023 to 2025 - easy read
Easy read version of a report which highlights the progress made towards developing a national Bairns’ Hoose model, sets out revised overarching actions for 2023 to 2025 and provides a detailed delivery plan for the Pathfinder phase.
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Bairns' Hoose – children and young people: participation and engagement plan
This plan sets out our approach to participation and engagement, and the actions we will take to make sure that Bairns’ Hoose services best reflect the views of children and young people with lived experience of trauma.
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Bairns' Hoose - project plan: progress report and pathfinder delivery plan 2023 to 2025
This report highlights the progress made towards developing a national Bairns’ Hoose model, sets out revised overarching actions for 2023 to 2025 and provides a detailed delivery plan for the Pathfinder phase.
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Draft Disability Assistance (Miscellaneous Amendment) (Scotland) Regulations 2023: draft child rights and wellbeing impact assessment
Child rights and wellbeing impact assessment (CRWIA) to consider the impacts of the Disability Assistance (Miscellaneous Amendment) (Scotland) Regulations 2023.
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Supporting roots: report
Report providing a broad picture of the needs of birth parents who have lost a child or children to ‘care’, and of the support and services that are currently available in Scotland. This report is designed to support best practice and service innovation.
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Home education guidance: consultation analysis
Summary and analysis of the responses received to the home education guidance consultation.
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Violence against women and girls funding review: analysis of responses
Analysis of the responses to the Strategic Review of Funding and Commissioning of Violence Against Women and Girls Services call for evidence.
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Use of physical intervention in schools
Consultation on draft guidance.
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Victims’ consultation launches
Putting people at the heart of the justice system.
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New Bairns’ Hoose appointment
Post will drive improvements for children.
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Historical adoption practices
Support for women and families affected.
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New vision for justice
Victims placed at the heart of ensuring just, safe, and resilient communities.
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Redress Scotland
Panel members appointed.
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Pledge on children’s rights
Work on landmark legislation will continue.
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Supporting children in the justice system
Improving services for victims and witnesses.
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Child welfare reporters and child contact services consultations: Scottish Youth Parliament report
This report by the Scottish Youth Parliament contains responses from young people in relation to the Scottish Government consultations on child welfare reporters and the regulation of child contact services. This relates to the Children (Scotland) Act 2020.
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Financial redress for survivors of abuse in care
Chair of independent body announced.
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Redress for Survivors
Parliament backs plans for survivors of historical child abuse in care in Scotland.
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Preventing child sexual abuse and exploitation
Drive to raise awareness of online dangers.
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Supporting children and young people who may have experienced child sexual abuse - clinical pathway: consultation analysis
An analysis of the responses to the consultation on the draft Clinical Pathway for healthcare professionals working to support children and young people who may have experienced child sexual abuse.
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Children (Equal Protection from Assault) (Scotland) Act factsheet: easy read version
Physical punishment and physical discipline: how the law is changing (easy read version).
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Defence to assault on children removed
Equal Protection from Assault Act comes into force.
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UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
Bill to respect, protect and fulfil children’s rights.
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Redress for Survivors Bill published
Legislation for survivors of historical child abuse in care in Scotland.
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Redress for abuse in care
More than 400 advance payments made.
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National action plan to tackle child sexual exploitation: final report
Sets out the range of achievements and activity delivered since 2016 to prevent and tackle child sexual exploitation.
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Supporting adult survivors of in care childhood abuse
Additional funding to extend services.
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Help for childhood abuse victims
Survivor support still available.
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Advocacy in the children's hearings system - national practice model: guidance
National practice model for children's advocacy in the children’s hearings system.
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600 adoption matches made
Milestone reached as adoption support website launched.
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Children's services planning: guidance
Updated guidance (2020) for local authorities and health boards on exercising the functions conferred by Part 3 of the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014.
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Age threshold of payments for survivors of childhood abuse lowered
Review of Advance Payment Scheme.
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Financial redress for survivors of historical child abuse in care: review of the Advance Payment Scheme
This review of the Advance Payment Scheme considered a range of issues over the first five months of the scheme’s operation.
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Mental health in schools
Dedicated counselling service for pupils.
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Consultation on financial redress
Views sought to shape legislation.
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Child trafficking guardians: consultation
A consultation on the implementation of Section 11 of the Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Scotland) Act 2015: the appointment and role of independent child trafficking guardians.
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Update on Advance Payment Scheme
Payments made to survivors of abuse in care over 70.
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Improving the health response to child sexual abuse
Consultation on Scotland’s first clinical pathway.
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Redress for historical abuse survivors
Advance payment scheme opens.
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Timescale for child abuse inquiry extended
Inquiry given more time to ensure survivors’ voices are heard.
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Review of disclosure law
Changes proposed for those working with vulnerable people.
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Meeting the needs of young people
Improved rights for children with additional support needs.
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Named person panel
Independent advice on information sharing.
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Legal milestone for child abuse victims
End to automatic time-bar against civil actions for childhood abuse.
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Ministers visit Icelandic children's house
Promoting child-friendly justice.
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Protecting children from abuse
New report shows gaps in support
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Significant Case Review
Review into death of Liam Fee
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Civil action in child abuse cases
Debate on removing the three year time bar to seeking justice.
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Protecting children online
National action plan on internet safety.
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Internet safety for children and young people: national action plan
Refreshed action plan on internet safety for children and young people to ensure appropriate training, support and information is in place.
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Child sexual exploitation: a guide for health practitioners
Guidelines for health practitioners on identifying and responding to a child or young person who may be at risk of or affected by sexual exploitation.
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Named Person service
Legislation planned to support children and their families.
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New law to protect children
Emotional abuse and neglect will be a criminal offence.
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Child Protection Improvement Programme report
Report on the key messages and next steps of the Child Protection Improvement Programme.
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Child abuse inquiry
Glenn Houston resigns from panel
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Removing time-bar from civil actions against child abuse
Clarification to Inquiry remit and redress consultation as Limitation Bill lodged.
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Child sexual exploitation: definition and practitioner briefing paper
Key considerations that should inform all professionals’ and agencies' interpretations of their responsibilities in relation to child sexual exploitation.
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National action plan to tackle child sexual exploitation: progress report
Update on progress since the publication of both the national action plan and 'Safeguarding Scotland’s vulnerable children from child abuse'.
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Children's advocacy guidance
Guidance on how to support children and young people to make informed decisions on matters which influence their lives.