Youth justice
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SG/2026/56: Reform of the Victim Notification Scheme: report for Parliament - March 2026
A report outlining the Scottish Government's progress on reforming the Victim Notification Scheme (VNS) in response to commitments made in response to the Independent Review of the VNS in October 2024.
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Environment Strategy for Scotland: child rights and wellbeing impact assessment
Child rights and wellbeing impact assessment (CRWIA) for the Environment Strategy for Scotland.
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Restorative justice: policy and practice framework
Guidance on the practice of restorative justice (RJ) in Scotland in relation to adults and children. It sets out minimum standards and expectations against which RJ practice can be benchmarked, monitored and evaluated to ensure consistent delivery in line with RJ principles.
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Secure care: consultation – summary version
The Scottish Government is thinking about changes to how secure care works, how it is paid for, and how children are supported. Your ideas will help shape what happens next.
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Secure care: joint progress report between Scottish Government and COSLA
This joint progress report outlines the actions taken over 2025 to 2026 by the Scottish Government and COSLA to restore Scotland’s secure accommodation capacity and to continue planning for the future provision of secure care.
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Future of secure care and the single point of contact (SPOC) for victims: consultation
The Scottish Government is consulting on the future of secure care for children and young people in Scotland. We want your views on how to create a sustainable, resilient system that safeguards children’s rights and meets their needs now and in the future.
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Helping to keep young people safe
Youth project receives additional funding.
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Undertaking domestic homicide and suicide reviews: draft statutory guidance - consultation
We are consulting on our draft statutory guidance that will support the undertaking of domestic homicide and suicide reviews in Scotland which are expected to commence on 1 April 2026. The responses received will help to further refine the statutory guidance prior to publication.
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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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Supporting young people onto the right path
£150,000 to fund grassroots youth services.
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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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Voices in Justice: parole reform consultation
We are consulting on a broad range of areas centred on parole improvements and parole reform. The consultation invites all people with an interest in parole and wider justice matters to consider the consultation areas and play a direct role in influencing parole policy in Scotland.
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Scottish government response to "reimagining secure care" report
This document sets out the Scottish Government’s response to the ‘Reimagining secure care: a vision for the future’ report published by the Children and Young People’s Centre for Justice (CYCJ) in September 2024.
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Legal aid reform: discussion paper - easy read
Sets out three key strands of work we will undertake in 2025 to 2026 to improve legal aid: simplification of the judicare service delivery model; research on and reform of legal aid fees; engagement with stakeholders to develop a reformed future legal assistance system.
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Children (Care and Justice) (Scotland) Act 2024 - operation review: first annual report 2024-2025
First annual report on the review of the operation of the Children (Care and Justice) (Scotland) Act 2024.
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Property and violent crime 37% lower than in 2008
Flagship survey shows people feel safer in their communities.
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Scottish Crime and Justice Survey 2023/24
An Accredited Official Statistics Publication for Scotland.
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Legal aid reform: discussion paper
Sets out three key strands of work we will undertake in 2025 to 2026 to improve legal aid: simplification of the judicare service delivery model; research on and reform of legal aid fees; engagement with stakeholders to develop a reformed future legal assistance system.
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Children's hearings redesign: consultation analysis
Independent analysis of responses to the Children's Hearings Redesign consultation commissioned by the Scottish Government.
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Secure Care Statistics: 2023-24
An Accredited Official Statistics Publication.
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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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Justice Social Work Statistics in Scotland: 2023-24 – Part 2
An annual bulletin summarising the main trends in community orders and justice social work reports.
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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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Safer Communities and Justice Statistics Monthly Data Report: December 2024 edition
This report contains summary statistics covering a number of important justice and safer communities areas. It is published with up to date statistics every month.
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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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Criminal Proceedings in Scotland, 2022-23
Statistics on criminal proceedings concluded in Scottish courts and alternative measures to prosecution issued by the police and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service are presented for the 10 years from 2013-14 to 2022-23.
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Safer Communities and Justice Statistics Monthly Data Report : November 2024 edition
This report contains summary statistics covering a number of important justice and safer communities areas. It is published with up to date statistics every month.
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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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Progressing the human rights of children in Scotland: update report 2021-2024
This report provides an update on the delivery of commitments outlined in our action plan ‘Progressing the human rights of children in Scotland: action plan 2021 to 2024’.
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Justice and safer communities statistics: monthly data report summary - October 2024
Summary statistics covering a number of important justice and safer communities areas. It is published with up to date statistics every month.
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Safer Communities and Justice Statistics Monthly Data Report: September 2024
This report contains summary statistics covering a number of important justice and safer communities areas. It is published with up to date statistics every month.
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Justice Social Work Statistics in Scotland: 2023-24 – Part 1
This report presents national level information on many aspects of justice social work activity, as well as the characteristics of individuals involved.
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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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Children's hearings redesign – policy proposals: consultation summary
Consultation on the redesign of Scotland’s children’s hearings system to build on its strengths so that it can deliver the best possible experience to the children and families in need of its support. It focusses on areas which may require changes to the law.
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No under 18s in Young Offenders Institutions
Supporting children in the justice system.
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Children and Young People Affected by a Family Member in Prison or Secure Care: Final Report of Short-Life Group
Explores the impact on children and young people when a family member is in prison or secure care, and makes recommendations for improvement.
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Safer Communities and Justice Statistics Monthly Data Report : July 2024 edition
The report contains summary statistics covering a number of important justice and safer communities areas. It is published with up to date statistics every month.
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Milestone for children’s rights
UN Convention on the Rights of the Child Act commences.
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Safer Communities and Justice Statistics Monthly Data Report : June 2024
This report contains summary statistics covering a number of important justice and safer communities area. It is published with up to date statistics every month.
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Action Group on Processions: report
The Action Group on Processions has made six recommendations to improve facilitation of processions for the Scottish Government, CoSLA and Police Scotland to consider.
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Justice for children and young people: vision and priorities 2024-26
This vision is a continuation of the previous vision that concluded June 2024. 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.
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Safer Communities and Justice Statistics Monthly Data Report : May 2024 edition
the report contains summary statistics covering a number of important justice and safer communities statistics. It is published with up to date statistics every month.
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Children (Care and Justice) Bill passed
Landmark bill passes Stage 3.
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Building a New Scotland: Justice in an independent Scotland
This paper sets out the Scottish Government's vision for justice in an independent Scotland.
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Marches, parades and static demonstrations: guidance
This publication sets out the key duties and responsibilities for local authorities facilitating marches, parades and protests in Scotland. It provides guidance and highlights best practice for all key parties involved.
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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 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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Justice Analytical Services (JAS) Safer Communities and Justice Statistics Monthly Data Report: January 2024 edition
This report contains summary statistics covering a number of important justice and safer communities areas. It is published with up to date statistics every month.
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Justice Social Work Statistics In Scotland: 2022-23
This publication presents national-level information on justice social work activity in Scotland. It includes data on justice social work services and social work orders, as well as characteristics of the individuals involved.
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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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Justice Analytical Services (JAS) Safer Communities and Justice Statistics Monthly Data Report December 2023 edition
This report contains summary statistics covering a number of important justice and safer communities statistics. It is published with up to date statistics every month.
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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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Justice Analytical Services (JAS) Safer Communities and Justice Statistics Monthly Data Report: November 2023 edition
This report contains summary statistics covering a number of important justice and safer communities statistics. It is published with up to date statistics every month.
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CashBack for Communities phase 6: equality impact assessment
Equality impact assessment (EQIA) to consider the impacts on equality of the development of policy for phase 6 of the Cashback for Communities programme. The programme uses money recovered under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 to fund projects for children and young people.
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Scotland's approach to antisocial behaviour: review findings
This report presents findings on the perceptions of current approaches to antisocial behaviour in Scotland, based on discussions with key stakeholders including victims and frontline staff. The report will help inform future reviews on best practice for preventing and tackling antisocial behaviour.
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Age of Criminal Responsibility (Scotland) Act 2019: learning event 26 January 2023 - key findings
The Age of Criminal Responsibility (Scotland) Act 2019 (‘the Act’) places a duty on Ministers to review the operation of the Act with a view to considering a future age of criminal responsibility within three years of commencement.
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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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Tackling criminal exploitation
Safeguarding the most vulnerable.
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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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New Chief Constable
Justice Secretary Angela Constance comments as first woman appointed to role.
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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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Violence prevention framework
This Framework sets out our vision to prevent violence across Scotland, and when it does occur, to reduce its harm. It is supported by an evidence supplement, spotlights some cross government work and includes priority aims and an action plan, outlining the initial activities going forward.
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Children and young people's voices matter: progress report - March 2023
Report on progress made on the actions agreed at the sixth annual meeting of Cabinet members and children and young people on 1 March 2022.
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Young Person's Guarantee: update report March 2023
The report highlights progress over the 2 years of the Young Person’s Guarantee and also sets out the direction of travel going forward.
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Scottish local government finance - Green Book: 2023-2024
Scottish Local Government Finance Settlement 2023-24: Funding Allocation Formula.
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Diversion from prosecution: joint review
A joint review of diversion from prosecution carried out by HM Inspectorate of Prosecution in Scotland, HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland, HM Inspectorate of Prisons for Scotland and the Care Inspectorate
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Safeguarding children in the justice system
Bill to end under-18s being placed in young offenders institutions.
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Victim Surcharge Fund
More help for victims as criminals pay towards costs.
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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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New vision for justice
Victims placed at the heart of ensuring just, safe, and resilient communities.
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Not proven consultation opens
Views sought on three verdict system and related reforms.
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Recorded crime remains at low levels
Crimes in four key areas down in the past year.
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Supporting children in the justice system
Improving services for victims and witnesses.
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Supporting young people
Funding for specialist service.
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What works to prevent youth violence: evidence summary
This report draws together high-quality international evidence about what works to prevent youth violence, to inform policymakers and practitioners about the evidence base and effectiveness associated with different approaches and interventions.
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What works to prevent youth violence: key findings
Summarises the findings from the What Works to Prevent Youth Violence report.
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Structured deferred sentences: guidance
A high-level guide to the purpose, policy rationale and operation of structured deferred sentences in Scotland, for local authority justice social work services, youth justice services and relevant partners.
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Boost for Scottish youth work
New fund to help education recovery from COVID-19.
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Children’s hearings
Views sought on extending the age range of young people referred.
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8 million hours of payback
Local projects continue to gain from community sentences.
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Preventing harmful sexual behaviour
Expert Group focused on children and young people.
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Age of Criminal Responsibility Bill passed
Decriminalisation of primary school-aged children.
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Scottish Welfare Fund Statistics
An Official Statistics Publication for Scotland.
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Fall in youth convictions
Total number of court proceedings and convictions lowest in a decade.
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Supporting young people in custody
Mental health expert to work with prisons inspectorate on review.