Guidance on Part 1, Section 2 (Duties of Public Authorities in relation to the UNCRC) of the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014

Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014

18. The Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 ("the Act") was passed by the Scottish Parliament on 19 February 2014, and received Royal Assent on 27 March 2014. The legislation is a key part of the Scottish Government's strategy for making Scotland the best place to grow up. By facilitating a shift in public services towards the early years of a child's life, and towards early intervention whenever a family or young person needs help, the legislation encourages preventative measures, rather than crises responses. Underpinned by the Scottish Government's commitment to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child 1989 (UNCRC), and the national children's services improvement programme, Getting It Right For Every Child (GIRFEC), the Act also establishes a new legal framework within which services are to work together in support of children, young people and families.

19. Composed of 18 distinct Parts, the Act makes important changes to the provision of early learning and childcare, looked after children's and care leaver services, and children's services planning and introduces the provision of named person services and the child's plan. Where relevant, guidance on these different Parts will be made available by Scottish Ministers. This non-statutory guidance relates to Part 1, section 2 of the Act.