Review to promote the reduction of abuse or neglect of children, and to improve the services for children who experience abuse or neglect. It pays particular attention to the needs of the small number of children whose family or environmental circumstances are so poor that their future wellbeing is placed at serious risk.
The review, which is the subject of this report, represents the widest enquiry yet carried out into child protection in Scotland. It was carried out by a multi-professional team, was based on up-to-date information on the subject, was informed about systems in other countries, was supported by information and views provided by a wide range of agencies and organisations and – not least of all – had the benefit of views expressed by children and young people themselves affected by abuse and neglect.
The recommendations in this report are founded on the findings of the Review and are designed to introduce change and improvements. They are presented as the basis for a realistic action plan to improve the protection of Scotland’s children in the next decade.