The Cross-border Placement of Children (Requirements, Effect and Enforcement) (Scotland) Regulations 2026: Island Communities Impact Assessment

Step six – making your adjustments work

Should delivery mechanisms/mitigations vary in different communities?

No. We do not consider it appropriate to vary rules for island placements should they occur in future. To date, there is no evidence of any cross-border placements into residential care settings or foster care located on Scottish islands. Should these placements occur in future, the same framework would apply to safeguard the child. For residential care placements, this would include regular visits to the child which may be more difficult for island placements, but such a requirement is important regardless of location to ensure the child’s wellbeing.

Do you need to consult with island communities in respect of mechanisms or mitigations?

No. See above.

Have island circumstances been factored into the evaluation process?

Yes. We reviewed Care Inspectorate data and engaged with local authorities across Scotland to assess whether there would be any impact on Island communities in Scotland.

Have any island-specific indicators/targets been identified that require monitoring?

No.

How will outcomes be measured on the islands?

Outcomes will be measured consistently across all of Scotland. No specific evaluation is required for Scottish islands.

How has the policy, strategy or service affected island communities?

There is no evidence to suggest that the policy has affected island communities.

How will lessons learned in this ICIA inform future policy making and service delivery?

While no unique impacts have been identified for island communities, the process has highlighted the value of ongoing data monitoring and stakeholder engagement. Future policy development in this area will continue to ensure impacts on island communities are considered.

A full Islands Community Impact Assessment is NOT required

In preparing the ICIA, I have formed an opinion that our policy, strategy or service is not likely to have an effect on an island community which is significantly different from its effect on other communities (including other island communities). The reason for this is detailed below.