Scottish executive unveils 'tough' new child protection measures

Tough new measures to ensure more children in Scotland are safe from abuse have been unveiled today.

Today's announcement, outlined at the second Child Protection Summit in Edinburgh today, represents the next steps in the three-year programme of reform for child protection services.

Welcoming the package of guidelines, First Minister Jack McConnell said that government "must be prepared to intervene" in every stage where a child is at risk.

Among the steps to be adopted are: the publication of a Children's Charter, which is written from a child's perspective, and sets out what every child has the right to expect from the adults who care for them; a new inspection system which will regularly check the quality of care that each vulnerable child receives; and strengthening the role of local Child Protection Committees.

Up to £600,000 in government funding has also been earmarked to train up 300 social workers, and a new multi-agency national framework of standards for child protection will also be created.

Mr McConnell said: "Two years ago I said we had three years to get our collective act together. At the time our report into child protection services showed that services were simply not good enough. Systems were failing and we were letting down Scotland's most vulnerable children.

"These are children no adult has the right to let down. These are children that government has an absolute duty to protect. Today we are taking very important steps to improve that system."

Deputy First Minister Jim Wallace said that every child deserved the best possible start in life – making a child's protection from abuse and neglect essential to self-fulfilment.

(gmcg)