Safeguarders - revised practice standards: children's rights and wellbeing impact assessment (CRWIA)

5. How will the policy/measure give better or further effect to the implementation of the UNCRC in Scotland?

Safeguarders provide an essential role in often the most complex of Children's Hearings proceedings. They are independent actors who must report and make recommendations on what is in the best interests of the child to whom they are allocated. Given the central importance of the concept of best interests to the Safeguarder role and the rights of the child, bringing a rights-based focus to Safeguarder practice will help give further effect to the implementation of the UNCRC in Scotland.

As outlined above, the revised Practice Standards for Safeguarders have been drafted with specific reference to the articles of the UNCRC which are of relevance to Safeguarder practice, drawing a clear link between the actions of Safeguarders and the promotion of children's rights. By taking this approach, the implementation of the UNCRC will be fully embedded in how Safeguarders are expected to fulfil their role, and how their practice will be monitored and assessed.