Call for views on Children (Care and Justice) Bill
Submissions on proposed changes to the care of children, and their treatment in the criminal justice system, have been invited as a Holyrood committee begins its scrutiny of the proposals.
The Education, Children & Young People Committee is considering the Children (Care and Justice) (Scotland) Bill and has issued a call for views ahead of preparing its stage 1 report.
The bill will see most 16 and 17 year olds attending a children’s hearing, rather than appearing in court. They would also no longer be held in young offenders’ institutions or prisons, but instead would be sent to secure accommodation.
Changes are also proposed to how care services providing residential accommodation to children are regulated.
The committee is very interested in hearing the views of legal professionals, secure accommodation providers and victims of crime, as well as organisations supporting young people in conflict with the law, young people and parents.
Committee convener Sue Webber MSP said the bill “aims to safeguard those at risk of harm and change how the justice system deals with young people who have committed offences. It also introduces a range of further measures designed to improve the way that children are treated, including ensuring no young person under the age of 18 will be sent to a young offenders’ institution or prison”.
She added: “We want to get a thorough understanding of how the proposals in the bill might impact on people across Scotland, including young people themselves, children’s support organisations and youth justice bodies.
“Please share your views on these proposals with our committee before the 17 March 2023 deadline.”