How many of the recommendations set out in the Policy Report: Sexual exploitation of children involved in the Children's Hearings System by…

The Scottish Government and national and local partners have acted on all recommendations of the Policy Report: Sexual exploitation of children involved in the Children's Hearings System.In relation to recommendations on public-facing awareness activity, the Scottish Government has provided funding for a range of campaigns, including in March 2021 on child sexual exploitation and in February 2022 and February 2023 on child online safety. In 2024 the Scottish Government funded Child Protection Committees Scotland for a campaign focusing on effects of child sexual abuse. The campaign was developed in partnership with Barnardo’s Scotland and co-produced with the support of adult survivors and had a reported reach of over 1.8 million adults in Scotland.Regarding recommendations on improving the experience of victims, a number of policies have promoted a trauma-informed approach. This includes the roll out of the Scottish Child Interview Model for Joint Investigative Interviews as part of the Bairns' Hoose Pathfinder Phase which aims to minimise the emotional impact on child victims, and ensure their safety and wellbeing throughout any investigation. The national roll-out involves specialised training for police officers and social workers focusing on the impact of trauma, child development and importance of effective planning for the needs of the child.On recommendations regarding access to inclusive support for families and delivering recovery-focused interventions, the Scotland-specific Bairns’ Hoose Standards were published in 2023 and include Standard 3 on Inclusive Access which states:“ The Bairns’ Hoose is accessible for all children who are referred and their families, no matter what specialist needs or support they or their family require”. The opening of further Bairns’ Hooses will continue to enhance our response to providing care, recovery and justice for children who have experienced trauma, including child sexual abuse. In addition, the Scottish Government is transforming holistic family support through the Whole Family Wellbeing Funding Programme. Since 2022, we have invested over £110m in a programme of activity, including £32m for Children’s Services Planning Partnerships to improve and extend family support in their local areas.In relation to recommendations on contextual safeguarding and a focus on locations of concern, the Scottish Government provided funding to North Lanarkshire Council in 2022-23 to test the implementation of contextual safeguarding within child protection processes. The Scottish Contextual Safeguarding Core Group, a subgroup of Child Protection Committees Scotland, has also been established to guide, support and encourage the development and implementation of the contextual safeguarding approach across Scotland. The group aims to facilitate collaboration amongst professionals, share best practice and promote consistency in delivery across different contexts, including groups, schools, neighbourhood and online spaces.The Barnardo’s report also recommended development of an approach to risk that emphasises children’s needs. National Guidance for Child Protection in Scotland published in 2021 and updated in August 2023 describes the responsibilities and expectations of everyone who works with children, young people and their families. The guidance includes a strengthened focus on risk assessment through consistent use of Interagency Referral Discussions (IRDs)- the start of the formal process of information sharing, assessment, analysis and decision-making – whenever a concern about abuse or neglect of a child or young person is reported. It makes clear that when a child is at risk of, or has experienced child sexual exploitation, an IRD should be convened without undue delay .We have developed and successfully piloted a national multi-agency IRD training course which will be rolled out across Scotland this Spring. The train