Consultation on the revised National Guidance for Child Protection in Scotland
Feedback updated 15 Jul 2021
We asked
We asked for your views on a revised draft of the National Guidance for Child Protection in Scotland. This non-statutory Guidance describes the responsibilities and expectations for everyone involved in protecting children in Scotland. The Scottish Government worked collaboratively with stakeholders and partners from across education, social work, police, health, justice and the third sector to draft a wholescale revision of the 2014 version of the Guidance.
The public consultation on the draft guidance opened on 21 October 2020 and closed on 31 January 2021. In addition to the main public consultation, seven virtual stakeholder engagement events were held during November and December 2020 to engage with Child Protection Committees and practitioners, with a facilitated discussion structured around the consultation questions.
You said
A total of 159 consultation responses were received from a wide range of organisations and individuals. Where respondents have given their permission, responses have been published on Citizen Space. The number and diversity of respondents is a welcome sign that protecting children is increasingly seen as everyone’s responsibility.
The vast majority of the responses were very positive with a range of constructive suggestions for revision and improvement. There were some suggestions for revision that are more appropriate for local processes and operational guidance and other suggestions and views which will inform delivery of wider strategic developments.
We did
Responses were analysed by an independent company, Craigforth, and their analysis report is included as an Annex in the full response to the consultation, which will be published on the Scottish Government website. All responses were carefully considered in conjunction with the analysis report. We subsequently engaged directly with some respondents to better understand and reflect their views. The revisions to the Guidance were agreed by the National Guidance Steering Group and approved by the National Child Protection Leadership Group in June 2021.
Published responses
View submitted responses where consent has been given to publish the response.
Overview
The National Guidance for Child Protection in Scotland describes the responsibilities and expectations of everyone who works with children, young people and their families in Scotland. It sets out how agencies should work together with children, young people, parents, families and communities to protect children from abuse, neglect and exploitation. The National Guidance should underpin local multi-agency child protection procedures, guidance and training.
The current version of the National Guidance was published in 2014. As a recommendation of the Child Protection Improvement Programme (2016), the guidance is being revised to ensure it is consistent with the legislative and policy framework and current practice developments.
Why your views matter
The aim of the consultation is to seek views on the tone, level of detail and approach in the revised guidance, in particular in relation to the description of new or significant aspects, and whether there are any omissions or aspects that have not been adequately addressed.
Consultation responses will be analysed alongside the feedback from online engagement sessions. Views will inform the final content of the revised National Guidance, and future developments in child protection improvement work more generally. The final revised National Guidance will be published online in spring 2021. This will ensure accessibility and allow the National Guidance to be updated regularly to reflect legislative, policy and practice developments.
What happens next
Consultation responses will be analysed alongside the feedback from online engagement sessions. Views will inform the final content of the revised National Guidance, and future developments in child protection improvement work more generally. The final revised National Guidance will be published online in spring 2021. This will ensure accessibility and allow the National Guidance to be updated regularly to reflect legislative, policy and practice developments.
Interests
- Children and Families
- Communities and Third Sector
- Education
- Equality, Welfare and Rights
- Health and Social Care
- Housing and Regeneration
- Law and Order
- Public Safety and Emergencies
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