Child protection
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Domestic homicide reviews: identifying best practice in learning lessons and implementing change
This working paper outlines 15 aspects of good practice to be considered in the development of a domestic homicide and suicide review model for Scotland. It identifies existing challenges with implementing recommendations from reviews and considers how to define and measure success and impact.
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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 and parental wellbeing: measuring outcomes and understanding their relation with poverty
Enhancing wellbeing is a crucial element of supporting the lives of children, young people and families living in poverty. This report represents a first step in assessing wellbeing outcomes and understanding their relation with poverty for low income families.
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Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020 - accredited body fees and discounting proposals: partial equality impact assessment
Partial equality impact assessment in relation to Disclosure Scotland’s consultation on accredited body fees and proposals for discounting under the PVG scheme.
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Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020 - accredited body fees and discounting proposals: partial fairer Scotland duty summary
Draft fairer Scotland duty summary in relation to Disclosure Scotland’s consultation on accredited body fees and proposals for discounting under the PVG scheme.
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Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020 – accredited body fees and discounting proposals: business and regulatory impact assessment
Partial Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment in relation to Disclosure Scotland’s consultation on accredited body fees and proposals for discounting under the PVG scheme.
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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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The death of a looked after child: guidance
Revised guidance to clarify the roles and responsibilities of agencies specifically in relation to the notification requirements under regulation 6 of the 2009 Regulations on the death of looked after children.
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The Redress for Survivors (Historical Child Abuse In Care) (Scotland) Act 2021: financial contributions - statement of principles
Sets out the principles the Scottish Ministers will use to assess whether an organisation is making a fair and meaningful financial contribution to Scotland's Redress Scheme.
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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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Housing Cladding Remediation (Scotland) Bill: child rights and wellbeing impact assessment - easy read
Easy read version of the children's rights and wellbeing impact assessment (CRWIA) for the Housing (Cladding Remediation) (Scotland) Bill.
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Historic forced adoption - scoping study: research findings
A summary of findings from research to scope the support needs of people affected by historic forced adoption in Scotland.
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Historic forced adoption - scoping study: service delivery paper
Research report identifying critical factors to consider when designing services for people affected by historic forced adoption in Scotland.
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Historic forced adoption - scoping study: final report
Research to scope the support needs of people affected by historic forced adoption in Scotland.
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Early child development transformational change programme
Improving early child development by bringing together a programme to provide oversight and better integration of policies. These will focus on prevention, the importance of pre-birth and early years across all policy areas and identify policy and implementation gaps, informed by current evidence.
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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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The Social Security Information-sharing (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2024: child rights and wellbeing impact assessment
This child rights and wellbeing impact assessment (CRWIA) considers the potential impacts of the Social Security Information-sharing (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2024 on children's rights and wellbeing.
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Social Security Information-sharing (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2024: data protection impact assessment
Data protection impact assessment (DPIA) to consider the impacts of the Social Security Information-sharing (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2024.
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Social Security Information-sharing (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2024: island communities impact assessment screening
The island communities impact assessment (ICIA) records the rationale for the decision taken not to carry out a full impact assessment for the Social Security Information-sharing (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2024.
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Social Security Information-sharing (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2024: business and regulatory impact assessment
Business and regulatory impact assessment (BRIA) considers the impact of the Social Security Information-sharing (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2024 on businesses, including the third sector.
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Education Bill provisions: consultation
A consultation on a new national qualifications body and a new approach to inspection of education in Scotland, including elements of the proposed Education Bill.
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Ukraine - Super Sponsor Scheme - 16 interventions: child rights and wellbeing impact assessment
A review of the Super Sponsor Scheme was undertaken, which identified 16 interventions designed to improve sustainability and empowerment of the scheme.
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Disability Assistance (Miscellaneous Amendment) (Scotland) Regulations 2023: child rights and wellbeing impact assessment
Child rights and wellbeing impact assessment (CRWIA) to consider the impacts of the Disability Assistance (Miscellaneous Amendment) (Scotland) Regulations 2023.
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Age of Criminal Responsibility (Scotland) Act 2019 - child interview rights practitioners: question and answer guide
Question and answer guide for Child Interview Rights Practitioners (ChIRPs) to provide clarity on practical and procedural matters in relation to age of criminal responsibility investitive that have been raised through feedback.
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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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Whole Family Approach: rapid review of literature
Reviews the evidence on Whole Family Approaches to family support, focussing on examples of best practice in the context of substance use and implications for the training and learning development of substance use practitioners and wider workforce.
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National Islands Plan: implementation route map 2023
Details how we will deliver on the commitments in the National Islands Plan, over the coming year.
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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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Children seeking asylum
Launch of new guardianship service.
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Violence Against Women and Girls - Independent Strategic Review of Funding and Commissioning of Services: report - easy read
Easy read version of the Independent Strategic Review of Funding and Commissioning of Violence Against Women and Girls Services report.
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Violence Against Women and Girls - Independent Strategic Review of Funding and Commissioning of Services: report
The Independent Review of Funding and Commissioning of Violence Against Women and Girls Services was led by Lesley Irving, former Head of the Scottish Government’s Equality Unit, who was supported by an Advisory Group comprising key figures from local government, academia and the third sector.
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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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Bairns' Hoose - Scottish Barnahus: vision, values and approach
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.
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Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill: child rights and wellbeing impact assessment (CRWIA)
This impact assessment considers how the Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill will affect children’s rights and wellbeing. It records the research, analysis and engagement that has taken place in respect of this and how this has informed the development of the Bill.
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Fair Work Action Plan 2022 and Anti-Racist Employment Strategy 2022: Fairer Scotland duty assessment
Fairer Scotland Duty Assessment (FSDA) of the Fair Work Action Plan 2022 and Anti-Racist Employment Strategy 2022.
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Fair Work Action Plan 2022 and Anti-Racist Employment Strategy 2022: child rights and wellbeing impact assessment
Child rights and wellbeing impact assessment (CRWIA) of the Fair Work Action Plan 2022 and Anti-Racist Employment Strategy 2022.
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Fair Work Action Plan 2022 and Anti-Racist Employment Strategy 2022: island communities impact assessment
Island Communities Impact Assessment (ICIA) of the Fair Work Action Plan 2022 and Anti-Racist Employment Strategy 2022.
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National Islands Plan Annual Report 2022
The Islands (Scotland) Act 2018 requires that a report is presented to Parliament each year setting out the progress made towards delivery of the National Islands Plan. This report sets out progress made during the 2022 reporting year.
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Experiencing Life Events and Childhood Subjective Wellbeing: A Longitudinal Analysis of Growing Up in Scotland
The findings of this report are not valid due to an error in the analysis. If you require further information, please email the Growing Up in Scotland mailbox at: GUS@gov.scot.
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Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccinations 2021 to 2022: child rights and wellbeing impact assessment
This Child rights and wellbeing impact assessment (CRWIA) sets out the consideration which has been given to the vaccination of children and young people and how vaccination may impact upon children’s rights and wellbeing.
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Safeguarders - revised practice standards: equality impact assessment (EQIA)
Equality impact assessment (EQIA) for the implementation of revised practice standards for safeguarders published February 2023 by Children 1st.
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Safeguarders - revised practice standards: children's rights and wellbeing impact assessment (CRWIA)
Children's rights and wellbeing impact assessment (CRWIA) for the implementation of revised practice standards for safeguarders published February 2023 by Children 1st.
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Myalgic Encephalomyelitis / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME-CFS): good practice statement
Guidance to support the diagnosis and management of ME/CFS in primary care. This was originally published in 2010 and we have partially updated it to insert key recommendations from the NICE Guideline on ME/CFS published in October 2021.
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Draft Disability Assistance (Miscellaneous Amendment) (Scotland) Regulations 2023: draft child rights and wellbeing impact assessment
Child rights and wellbeing impact assessment (CRWIA) to consider the impacts of the Disability Assistance (Miscellaneous Amendment) (Scotland) Regulations 2023.
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Supporting roots: report
Report providing a broad picture of the needs of birth parents who have lost a child or children to ‘care’, and of the support and services that are currently available in Scotland. This report is designed to support best practice and service innovation.
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Home education guidance: consultation analysis
Summary and analysis of the responses received to the home education guidance consultation.
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Violence against women and girls funding review: analysis of responses
Analysis of the responses to the Strategic Review of Funding and Commissioning of Violence Against Women and Girls Services call for evidence.
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Use of physical intervention in schools
Consultation on draft guidance.
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Criminal proceedings in Scotland: 2020-2021
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 ten years from 2011-12 to 2020-21. The latest year’s data is impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Victims’ consultation launches
Putting people at the heart of the justice system.
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Children's Social Work Statistics, Scotland 2020-21
Children's Social Work Statistics for Scotland for 2020 to 2021, including data on children and young people looked after, on the child protection register and in secure care accommodation.
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New Bairns’ Hoose appointment
Post will drive improvements for children.
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Historical adoption practices
Support for women and families affected.
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New vision for justice
Victims placed at the heart of ensuring just, safe, and resilient communities.
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Redress Scotland
Panel members appointed.
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Pledge on children’s rights
Work on landmark legislation will continue.
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Supporting children in the justice system
Improving services for victims and witnesses.
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Child welfare reporters and child contact services consultations: Scottish Youth Parliament report
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.
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Financial redress for survivors of abuse in care
Chair of independent body announced.
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Redress for Survivors
Parliament backs plans for survivors of historical child abuse in care in Scotland.
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Preventing child sexual abuse and exploitation
Drive to raise awareness of online dangers.
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Supporting children and young people who may have experienced child sexual abuse - clinical pathway: consultation analysis
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.
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Can Scotland be Brave – Incorporating UNCRC Article 12 in practice
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’).
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Children (Equal Protection from Assault) (Scotland) Act 2019: promotional materials
Promotional materials to support the introduction of the Children (Equal Protection from Assault) (Scotland) Act 2019.
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Children (Equal Protection from Assault) (Scotland) Act factsheet: easy read version
Physical punishment and physical discipline: how the law is changing (easy read version).
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Defence to assault on children removed
Equal Protection from Assault Act comes into force.
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National guidance for child protection - revised: consultation
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.
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Physical punishment and discipline of children: how the law is changing
Explains changes to the law covering the physical punishment and discipline of children, such as smacking.
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UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
Bill to respect, protect and fulfil children’s rights.
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Redress for Survivors Bill published
Legislation for survivors of historical child abuse in care in Scotland.
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Redress for abuse in care
More than 400 advance payments made.
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National action plan to tackle child sexual exploitation: final report
Sets out the range of achievements and activity delivered since 2016 to prevent and tackle child sexual exploitation.
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Supporting adult survivors of in care childhood abuse
Additional funding to extend services.
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Raising the age of referral: consultation - easy read version
Easy read version of the consultation seeking views on raising the age a young person can be referred to a children’s hearing.
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Raising the age of referral: consultation
Consultation seeking views on raising the age a young person can be referred to a children’s hearing.
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Vulnerable children report: 15 May 2020
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.
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Help for childhood abuse victims
Survivor support still available.
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Advocacy in the children's hearings system - national practice model: guidance
National practice model for children's advocacy in the children’s hearings system.
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Financial redress for historical child abuse in care: consultation analysis
Analysis of responses to the pre-legislative consultation on the detailed design of a statutory redress scheme for historical child abuse in care.
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Financial redress for historical child abuse in care consultation analysis: summary
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.
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600 adoption matches made
Milestone reached as adoption support website launched.
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Child And Adolescent Mental Health Services: national service specification
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.
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Children's services planning: guidance
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.
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Age threshold of payments for survivors of childhood abuse lowered
Review of Advance Payment Scheme.
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Financial redress for survivors of historical child abuse in care: review of the 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.
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Mental health in schools
Dedicated counselling service for pupils.
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Children's services planning guidance: consultation response
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.
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Consultation on financial redress
Views sought to shape legislation.
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Child trafficking guardians: consultation
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.
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Update on Advance Payment Scheme
Payments made to survivors of abuse in care over 70.
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Protection of vulnerable groups and the disclosure of criminal information: our response to consultation
Scottish Government response to the consultation report on the Protection of Vulnerable Groups and Disclosure of Criminal Information.
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Improving the health response to child sexual abuse
Consultation on Scotland’s first clinical pathway.
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Redress for historical abuse survivors
Advance payment scheme opens.
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Protecting children and young people: Child Protection Committee and Chief Officer responsibilities
Guidance outlining Child Protection Committee and Chief Officer responsibilities for protecting children and young people.
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Beyond survival: resource for organisations working with child abuse survivors
This toolkit provides resources to enable survivor support organisations become more sustainable.
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Protection of Vulnerable Groups and Disclosure of Criminal Information: consultation summary report
The simplified summary report on responses to the recent consultation on proposals for change to the disclosure regime in Scotland.
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Timescale for child abuse inquiry extended
Inquiry given more time to ensure survivors’ voices are heard.
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Review of disclosure law
Changes proposed for those working with vulnerable people.
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Protecting Scotland's Children National Policy and Child Abuse Prevention Activity
These documents set out the Scottish Government's vision of how we protect Scotland’s children and young people.
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Meeting the needs of young people
Improved rights for children with additional support needs.
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Named person panel
Independent advice on information sharing.
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Legal milestone for child abuse victims
End to automatic time-bar against civil actions for childhood abuse.
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Ministers visit Icelandic children's house
Promoting child-friendly justice.
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Protecting children from abuse
New report shows gaps in support
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Significant Case Review
Review into death of Liam Fee
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Civil action in child abuse cases
Debate on removing the three year time bar to seeking justice.
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Protecting children online
National action plan on internet safety.
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Internet safety for children and young people: national action plan
Refreshed action plan on internet safety for children and young people to ensure appropriate training, support and information is in place.
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Child sexual exploitation: a guide for health practitioners
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.
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Named Person service
Legislation planned to support children and their families.
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New law to protect children
Emotional abuse and neglect will be a criminal offence.
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Child Protection Improvement Programme report
Report on the key messages and next steps of the Child Protection Improvement Programme.
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Child Protection Improvement Programme: ministerial statement
Minister for Childcare and Early Years Mark McDonald MSP delivers a speech on improving Scotland's child protection systems.
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Child abuse inquiry
Glenn Houston resigns from panel
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Removing time-bar from civil actions against child abuse
Clarification to Inquiry remit and redress consultation as Limitation Bill lodged.
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Child sexual exploitation: definition and practitioner briefing paper
Key considerations that should inform all professionals’ and agencies' interpretations of their responsibilities in relation to child sexual exploitation.
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National action plan to tackle child sexual exploitation: progress report
Update on progress since the publication of both the national action plan and 'Safeguarding Scotland’s vulnerable children from child abuse'.
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Children's advocacy guidance
Guidance on how to support children and young people to make informed decisions on matters which influence their lives.
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National Risk Framework to Support the Assessment of Children and Young People
The document is a national risk assessment 'toolkit' for child protection to support practioners in identifying and acting on child protection risks in children and young people.
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