The Scottish Parliament has voted to pass the Children and Young People Bill, which the Government has said will provide greater support for children and families.
Key provisions of the Bill include:
- From April 2015, teenagers in residential, foster or kinship care who turn 16 will gain new rights to remain ‘looked-after’ up to the age of 21, as well as extended entitlement to aftercare up to their 26th birthday.
- New duties placed on Ministers and the wider public sector to promote children’s rights, as well increased powers given to Scotland’s Children’s Commissioner.
- Kinship carers gaining enhanced legal entitlements to assistance.
- Scotland’s National Adoption Register placed in statute, improving prospects for finding homes for vulnerable young children.
- Counselling and other support provided for vulnerable children and their families.
- Improved provision of advice and help when needed for children and families from early years to adulthood, including providing a ‘named person’ for each child – usually their health visitor or head/senior teacher – available as a single point of contact.
Children’s Minister Aileen Campbell said:
“The legislation is the culmination of extensive consultation and discussion with a wide variety of individuals and groups all with the best interests of Scotland’s children at heart. The measures will support children and families right across the country and will help secure a widely-held ambition for Scotland to be the best place in the world for children to grow up.”
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