Analysis Of Responses To The Consultation On Draft Statutory Guidance For Parts 4, 5 & 18 (Section 96) Of The Children And Young People (Scotland) Act 2014

15 Concluding Remarks

15.1 Respondents across all organisational sectors were generally supportive of the Act. They particularly welcomed the strong focus on the needs of the child, and the focus on hearing the child's 'voice'.

15.2 A majority of the organisational respondents (55%) agreed (at Question 1) that the guidance provided a clear interpretation of the Act to support implementation of the duties. Most of the organisations that would be directly involved in implementing the legislation agreed, while a majority of other types of organisations disagreed. Levels of agreement in relation to the other questions in the consultation varied from just under half (47%) to around nine out of ten (91%) of organisational respondents.

15.3 Irrespective of whether they agreed or disagreed in response to individual questions, respondents often requested further clarification about key issues including: the concept of 'wellbeing'; information sharing; working with particular subgroups of children and young people (e.g. those with disabilities); the role of the Named Person; the role of the Lead Professional; and the relationship between the guidance and other extant legislation, systems and procedures.

15.4 Following the submission of this analytical report, the Scottish Government will consider the views put forward, both through the formal consultation and through meetings and other engagement with stakeholders. The Scottish Government will issue a formal response to the key issues raised, making clear where any changes have been made to the draft Orders, and outlining other actions which have been or will be taken.

15.5 The present report and the Scottish Government response will be made available on the Scottish Government website and on the citizen space website, and will be published at the same time as the finalised Orders are laid before Parliament.