Written Question · S4W-24200 · Session 4
Whether the statutory guidance accompanying the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 will include reference to the specific needs …
The question
To ask the Scottish Government whether the statutory guidance accompanying the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 will include reference to the specific needs of disabled children.
The answer
Draft statutory guidance on parts 4, 5 and 18 (section 96) of the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 contains references to the specific needs of disabled children. We discussed the developing draft statutory guidance with key stakeholders and launched the full, public consultation on 6 February 2015 as set out in the answer to question S4W-24342. We are committed to working with stakeholders during the consultation period.
In addition, the statutory guidance which was published to support the implementation of the early learning and childcare provisions of the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 includes a chapter on children with additional support needs, including those with additional support needs arising from a disability within the meaning of the Equality Act 2010.
Statutory guidance on Part 9 of the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act requires corporate parents to take into account barriers related to the special needs of disabled children. They must then identify and implement appropriate actions to help these children and young people overcome the barriers, so that they can benefit from the opportunities, services and support available to them. The corporate parenting guidance is currently out to public consultation until 15 March 2015 at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2014/12/2912/downloads#res466889.
Furthermore, the Children's Rights and Services Planning Working Group, which includes members from local authorities, NHS boards and the third sector, oversees and advises on the national support and engagement required for the implementation of Children’s Services Planning duties (Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014
- Part 3), including the development of statutory guidance and regulations. This will include how statutory guidance will reflect the need for children’s services plans to provide for children’s services both universal and targeted (including for disabled children), as well as reflecting Part 3 requirements to provide services in a local area which: support wellbeing, prevention and early intervention, are integrated and make the best use of resources.
All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:
http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.
In addition, the statutory guidance which was published to support the implementation of the early learning and childcare provisions of the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 includes a chapter on children with additional support needs, including those with additional support needs arising from a disability within the meaning of the Equality Act 2010.
Statutory guidance on Part 9 of the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act requires corporate parents to take into account barriers related to the special needs of disabled children. They must then identify and implement appropriate actions to help these children and young people overcome the barriers, so that they can benefit from the opportunities, services and support available to them. The corporate parenting guidance is currently out to public consultation until 15 March 2015 at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2014/12/2912/downloads#res466889.
Furthermore, the Children's Rights and Services Planning Working Group, which includes members from local authorities, NHS boards and the third sector, oversees and advises on the national support and engagement required for the implementation of Children’s Services Planning duties (Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014
- Part 3), including the development of statutory guidance and regulations. This will include how statutory guidance will reflect the need for children’s services plans to provide for children’s services both universal and targeted (including for disabled children), as well as reflecting Part 3 requirements to provide services in a local area which: support wellbeing, prevention and early intervention, are integrated and make the best use of resources.
All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:
http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.
In the Official Report
No contribution in the Official Report cites S4W-24200 by reference.