Child Welfare Reporters (CWRs) recorded training: FOI release

Information requested

Since 1 April 2018 what training has been recorded as being funded by the Scottish Government for Child Welfare Reporters (CWRs) in the area of coercive control of children where “a parent has undue influence over a child (sometimes known as parental alienation)” as described by the report entitled ‘Guide to the Child Welfare Report (March 2016: First edition).

Response

The Scottish Government has not funded the provision of any training for Child Welfare Reporters since 1 April 2018.

Currently, child welfare reporters are appointed from lists held by each Sheriff Principal for cases heard in the sheriff court and by the Lord President for child welfare reporters appointed in cases in the Court of Session.

However, you may wish to be aware that on 22 March 2021 a Scottish Government consultation was published on the Register of child welfare reporters, curators ad litem appointed in cases under section 11 of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995 and solicitors appointed where a person has been prohibited from personally conducting a case themselves.
Registers of child welfare reporters, curators ad litem and of solicitors who may be appointed when an individual has been prohibited from conducting their case themselves - Scottish Government - Citizen Space (consult.gov.scot). The consultation will be live for 16 weeks until 12 July 2021.

The Children (Scotland) Act 2020 places a duty on the Scottish Ministers to establish and maintain a register of individuals to act as child welfare reporters. The consultation seeks views on a range of areas including the requirements that a person must satisfy in order to be included, and remain, on the register of child welfare reporters and what the ongoing training requirements for child welfare reporters should be.

I would also direct you to the Financial Memorandum (parliament.scot) that accompanied the Children (Scotland) Bill (now the Children (Scotland) Act 2020) when it was first introduced at the Scottish Parliament. The Financial Memorandum sets out the estimated costs associated with establishing the register of child welfare reporters, including training costs for child welfare reporters.

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