Scottish Government to improve children’s rights in secure care

A new national standard setting out what support children should expect from professionals when in the community or secure care has been published by the Scottish Government.

The Secure Care Pathway and Standards Scotland establishes what support is provided before, during and after care.
It also sets out the rights of children and young people, facing extreme vulnerabilities and risks in their lives, are respected.

Children and young people in care and with experience of care were involved in developing the standards along with secure care staff, local government and the Children and Young People’s Centre for Justice (CYCJ).

‘Going into care is distressing. Some children will not be able to show their feelings or to talk about what they are going through. That is why it is important that we have systems in place that make transitions less traumatic,’ said the Scottish minister for children and young people, Maree Todd.

‘The standards are fully co-produced by young people living in secure care and those with care experience and are written from the child’s perspective to ensure young people’s voices are heard, their rights are adhered to and they are treated with respect.

‘The standards reinforce our commitment to the Scottish Government’s Getting it Right for Every Child policy, supporting the incorporation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the important asks of the Independent Care Review Promise published earlier this year. Above all our young people must feel safe, loved and cared for in a compassionate nurturing environment,’ added Ms Todd.

Cllr Paul O’Kane, who is a member of the COSLA children and young people board said: ‘We very much welcome the launch of the Secure Care Pathway and Standards. This is an important milestone in the delivery of secure care services in Scotland and we all need to work together to make sure that the Standards are full implemented.

‘It is particularly welcome that children and young people have been at the heart of the development of the Standards and that they are embedded in children’s rights. We will now ensure that we continue this partnership approach as we take on the task of implementation.’

Photo Credit – 903115 (Pixabay)