Child protection

This Easy Read document is about the financial redress scheme for survivors of historical child abuse in care in Scotland. The purpose of the redress scheme is to acknowledge and recognise the harm suffered as a result of that abuse. The redress scheme will offer payments to survivors.

Work on landmark legislation will continue.

This guidance was updated on 29 September 2021 to reflect the changes brought in by the Coronavirus (Suspension: Children and Young Persons Social Care ) (Scotland) Regulations 2020 which come into effect on 29 September. The regulations suspend section 16 of the Coronavirus Act 2020 (“the 2020 Act”

Provides detailed information on the Recorded Crime in Scotland statistical bulletin series. It is designed to be a useful reference guide with explanatory notes regarding issues and classifications which are crucial to the production and presentation of crime statistics in Scotland

Official Statistics on crimes and offences recorded by the police in Scotland for August 2021.

Improving services for victims and witnesses.

Sets out our vision of how Barnahus should be implemented in Scotland, the values which should underpin the model and our approach to its practical implementation.

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.

This guidance describes the responsibilities and expectations for all involved in protecting children and will support the care and protection of children.

An easy read version of the National Care Service consultation paper.

This consultation sets out our proposals to improve the way we deliver social care in Scotland, following the recommendations of the Independent Review of Adult Social Care.

Chair of independent body announced.

This vision builds on the youth justice strategy which concluded in 2020. It represents a shared foundation between the Scottish Government and partners to continue to support the agenda to keep children out of the criminal justice system and promote the use of the Whole System Approach.

Parliament backs plans for survivors of historical child abuse in care in Scotland.

Drive to raise awareness of online dangers.  

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.

This project investigated how well practitioners, understood and implemented the full obligations of Article 12 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (‘UNCRC’).

Guidance for people applying to the Advance Payment Scheme about how to obtain ‘a supporting document’ – some kind of ‘record’ which shows you spent time in care in Scotland as a child.

Guidance to ensure a consistent approach to the provision of healthcare and forensic medical examination services for children and young people under 16 (or up to 18 for young people with vulnerabilities and additional support needs) who may have experienced sexual abuse.

Promotional materials to support the introduction of the Children (Equal Protection from Assault) (Scotland) Act 2019.

Physical punishment and physical discipline: how the law is changing (easy read version).

Equal Protection from Assault Act comes into force.

Consultation on a revised version of the National Guidance for Child Protection to ensure it is consistent with the legislative and policy framework and current practice developments. The current version of the National Guidance for Child Protection was published in 2014.

Explains changes to the law covering the physical punishment and discipline of children, such as smacking.

Bill to respect, protect and fulfil children’s rights.

Impact assessment for the Redress for Survivors (Historical Child Abuse in Care) (Scotland) Bill.

This Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) sets out that it was not necessary to conduct a full SEA for the Redress for Survivors (Historical Child Abuse in Care) (Scotland) Bill, as the Bill does not have a significant environmental impact.

Children's rights and wellbeing impact assessment for the Redress for Survivors (Historical Child Abuse in Care) (Scotland) Bill.

Fairer Scotland Duty assessment for the Redress for Survivors (Historical Child Abuse in Care) (Scotland) Bill.

Impact assessment for the Redress for Survivors (Historical Child Abuse in Care) (Scotland) Bill.

Impact assessment for the Redress for Survivors (Historical Child Abuse in Care) (Scotland) Bill.

Impact assessment for the Redress for Survivors (Historical Child Abuse in Care) (Scotland) Bill in relation to the use of personal data.

Impact assessment for the Redress for Survivors (Historical Child Abuse in Care) (Scotland) Bill.

Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment (BRIA) for the Redress for Survivors (Historical Child Abuse in Care) (Scotland) Bill.

Legislation for survivors of historical child abuse in care in Scotland.

More than 400 advance payments made.

Sets out the range of achievements and activity delivered since 2016 to prevent and tackle child sexual exploitation.

Additional funding to extend services.

Easy read version of the consultation seeking views on raising the age a young person can be referred to a children’s hearing.

Consultation seeking views on raising the age a young person can be referred to a children’s hearing.

This is the second report from the Scottish Government with SOLACE and other partners, on the impact of COVID-19 and the lockdown on children and families, and on the ways that services for children have responded. It identifies critical issues for services for children going forward.

Survivor support still available.

National practice model for children's advocacy in the children’s hearings system.

Analysis of responses to the pre-legislative consultation on the detailed design of a statutory redress scheme for historical child abuse in care.

Summary of the analysis of responses to the pre-legislative consultation on the detailed design of a statutory redress scheme for historical child abuse in care.

Milestone reached as adoption support website launched.

The Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) NHS Scotland national service specification outlining provisions young people and their families can expect from the NHS.

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.

Review of 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.

Dedicated counselling service for pupils.

Our response to the consultation analysis report on the current statutory guidance which supports Part 3 (Children's Services Planning) of the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014.

This report analyses the responses to the consultation asking for views on proposals to modernise the criminal offence of child cruelty, set out in section 12 of the Children and Young Persons (Scotland) Act 1937. We also asked for views on whether the definition of a ‘position of trust’ in section 42-45 of the Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act 2009 should be extended.

Analytical report for the consultation on children services planning guidance.

Views sought to shape legislation.

This consultation seeks views on the detailed design of a statutory financial redress scheme in Scotland, scheme administration issues, and views on financial redress as part of a package of wider reparations for survivors of historical child abuse in care.

This consultation seeks views on the detailed design of a statutory financial redress scheme in Scotland, scheme administration issues, and views on financial redress as part of a package of wider reparations for survivors of historical child abuse in care.

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.

Payments made to survivors of abuse in care over 70.

Scottish Government response to the consultation report on the Protection of Vulnerable Groups and Disclosure of Criminal Information.

Equality impact assessment (EQIA) for the new Female Genital Mutilation (Protection and Guidance) (Scotland) Bill.

Child rights and wellbeing impact assessment (CRWIA) for the new Female Genital Mutilation (Protection and Guidance) (Scotland) Bill.

Consultation on Scotland’s first clinical pathway. 

Advance payment scheme opens.

The latest data on children and young people looked after, on the child protection register and in secure care.

Guidance outlining Child Protection Committee and Chief Officer responsibilities for protecting children and young people.

This toolkit provides resources to enable survivor support organisations become more sustainable.

The simplified summary report on responses to the recent consultation on proposals for change to the disclosure regime in Scotland.

Inquiry given more time to ensure survivors’ voices are heard.

A rapid review of the literature relating to programmes, approaches and interventions with children in Scotland who may be experiencing neglect, undertaken by academics at the University of Stirling.

A rapid review of legislation and policy with a particular focus on child neglect in Scotland, conducted by academics at the University of Stirling.

Changes proposed for those working with vulnerable people.

These documents set out the Scottish Government's vision of how we protect Scotland’s children and young people.

Improved rights for children with additional support needs.

Independent advice on information sharing.

End to automatic time-bar against civil actions for childhood abuse.

Promoting child-friendly justice.

New report shows gaps in support

Record of assessments of the Child Protection Improvement Programme, testing how the programme would affect our aims for equality.

Assessment of how the Child Protection Improvement Programme affects the rights and wellbeing of children and young people.

Review into death of Liam Fee

Debate on removing the three year time bar to seeking justice.

National action plan on internet safety.

Refreshed action plan on internet safety for children and young people to ensure appropriate training, support and information is in place.

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.

Legislation planned to support children and their families.

Emotional abuse and neglect will be a criminal offence.

Report on the key messages and next steps of the Child Protection Improvement Programme.

Minister for Childcare and Early Years Mark McDonald MSP delivers a speech on improving Scotland's child protection systems.

Glenn Houston resigns from panel

Clarification to Inquiry remit and redress consultation as Limitation Bill lodged.

Deputy First Minister John Swinney MSP delivers a speech to Scottish Parliament on the progress of the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry.

Key considerations that should inform all professionals’ and agencies' interpretations of their responsibilities in relation to child sexual exploitation.

Terms of reference for our review of child protection committees, registers and case conferences, and initial and significant case reviews.

Update on progress since the publication of both the national action plan and 'Safeguarding Scotland’s vulnerable children from child abuse'.

Guidance on how to support children and young people to make informed decisions on matters which influence their lives.

Notes for all practitioners including those working in: children and family social work; health; education; residential care; early years; youth services; youth justice; police; independent and third sector; and adult services who might be supporting parents with disabled children or involved in the transition between child and adult services.

This guidance has been superseded by the 2021 version https://www.gov.scot/publications/national-guidance-child-protection-scotland-2021/ .