Ministers consult for Children's Care and Justice Bill

Potential legislative reforms to promote and advance the rights of all children and others who have suffered harm are the subject of a new consultation from the Scottish Government. 

The objectives of the proposals are to safeguard and support children towards positive outcomes and destinations, especially those who may need legal measures to secure their wellbeing and safety. There is a particular focus on children coming into contact with care and justice services, on further reducing the number of children in young offenders’ institutions and and on reforming the approach to considering the placement of children in secure care.

Among the policy aims are where support and formal intervention are needed, to ensure this is available through the age-appropriate children’s hearings system by raising the maximum age of referral to the Principal Reporter.

ensure children are treated in a way that is trauma-informed and accounts for their age and stage of development; and to maximise the use of measures to support children in the community, and with their family wherever possible. Deprivation of liberty should only happen in age-appropriate care facilities. 

The bill will also tackle the issue of safeguards and regulation for children placed in cross-border placements.

Respondents’ feedback will help inform the development of a Children’s Care and Justice Bill, committed to in the current programme for Government.

Access the consultation here. Responses are due by 22 June 2022.