What consideration it gave to children’s rights in drawing up the Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Scotland) Bill.

The Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Scotland) Bill provides the framework for the integration of adult health and social care. The Bill provides for the inclusion of other services such as children’s health and social care services, where health boards and local authorities agree to do so. Should local authorities and health boards decide to delegate children’s health and social care services in their integrated arrangements, then the duties and requirements of the Children and Young People (Scotland) Bill will apply. The Children and Young People (Scotland) Bill will make an explicit duty on Scottish Ministers to consider and report on children’s rights and proposes introducing a number of measures to strengthen policy and practice in relation to children's rights. It places a duty on both local authorities and health boards, amongst others, to report on what they are doing to further children's rights within their areas of responsibility.