law

Document setting out procedures to be followed in cases of abuse of vulnerable adults in the Argyll and Bute Council area.

Summary presenting some of the key themes running through the responses to the Scottish Government's proposals for reforming the children's hearings system and giving an overview of the levels of support for the proposals.

Manual published by the Scottish Government for the training of Children's Panel members. It provides information about the system, the relevant legislation and good practice, and is intended to widen the understanding of panel members about children's circumstances and enable them to make sound, well-informed decisions.

Report detailing the results of a survey of privately fostered children to see how well the rules and regulations governing private fostering are working out.

The Scottish Independent Advocacy Alliance (SIAA) promotes, supports and defends the principles and practice of independent advocacy across Scotland. This newsletter provides an update on the progress of the SIAA. Points of interest include information about independent advocacy and working with the legal profession; general hospital care for people with learning disabilities; training information; leaflets about health rights, and details of a report into access to banking services by people with learning disabilities.

This document is based on two resources: Working Together to Safeguard Children: a guide to inter-agency working to safeguard and promote the welfare of children; and the Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need and their Families. Working Together sets out how all agencies and professionals should work together to safeguard and promote children’s welfare and the Assessment Framework outlines a framework for use by all those who work with children and families determining whether a child is in need under the Children Act 1989 and deciding how best to provide help.

This leaflet explains the changes in the law introduced in September 2003. As from that date it became illegal to punish a child by shaking, hitting on the head, or using a belt, cane, slipper or other implement.

Guide offering good practice guidance for services working with disabled children and their families based on the experience and lessons provided by the development of the pathfinder children's trusts set up in 2003.

The government published the new drug strategy in February 2008. Since then there has been a great deal of progress, with drug use now down to its lowest level in more than a decade. However, there is still more to be done and the government is determined that the action it takes should meet the priorities and needs of local communities.

Scottish Ministers issued for consultation 23 proposals for the reform of children’s services and invited all those with an interest to let us know what they thought.

This report represents the plan implemented by the Scottish Government in order to reduce the bureaucracy that gets in the way of ensuring children are protected. Children must have their needs met and, where necessary, action must be taken to protect others from children’s behaviour.