Children (Care, Care Experience and Services Planning) (Scotland) Bill: equality impact assessment

Recommendations and Conclusion

The evidence collected over the course of the EQIA process has highlighted known inequalities experienced by children and young people in many of the core groups the Bill will particularly affect. The EQIA and evidence gathered through this process has reinforced the necessity of Bill provisions that are aimed at increasing transparency and gaining a clearer picture of need across the care system.

This EQIA has highlighted several significantly positive impacts across several protected characteristics, particularly in Age. The provisions to extend Aftercare and create a right to advocacy for people who have experienced care will bring a level of parity across different age groups that has not been present in the current system.

Relevant stakeholders (including children and young people) have been engaged with, prior to and during the consultation process. We have taken on board their views and will continue to engage with them during further policy and legislative development to continue to gather, analyse and review all available data and evidence concerning equality impacts of this legislation. The EQIA process will be ongoing and the associated documents will be kept up to date as the Bill progresses or new evidence emerges.

Declaration and Publication

I have read the Equality Impact Assessment and I am satisfied that is represents a fair and reasonable view of the expected equality impacts of the Regulations.

Signed:

Date: