Housing (Scotland) Bill: child rights and wellbeing impact assessment

Screening

Measures which require further assessment

The Scottish Government has conducted screening exercises at Stage 1 of the CRWIA process which determined that a Stage 2 CRWIA is required for the following measures set out in the table below. This document sets out a summary of the results of the Stage 2 assessments for these measures. Further information can be found in the individual Stage 2 assessments for these provisions which have been published on the Scottish Government website.

Measures which do not require further assessment

Part 4 - Registration of letting agents etc.

The measures strengthen the information Scottish Ministers have to allow them to be satisfied that letting agents meet, and continue to meet, the requirements for registration. They also seek to ensure that mechanisms are in place to allow for full consideration of all relevant factors when considering a letting agent’s application. The Scottish Government considers that this will have no particular direct or indirect impact on children and young people and therefore that a Stage 2 CRWIA is not required for these specific provisions in the Bill.

Part 6 - Mobile Homes

The available evidence highlights that residents of permanent mobile home sites tend to be older, and/or single person households, often beyond retirement age. The information available, including from the consultation on the proposed changes, does not reflect the experiences of children or young people. The Scottish Government has concluded that a CRWIA Stage 2 assessment is not required for this policy because the impact is indirect and only a very small number of children could potentially be positively impacted. Protections for residents have been given due regard as part of the policy development and are recorded in the EQIA. Further information about this CRWIA Stage 1 screening assessment is published on the Scottish Government website^[6].

Part 6 - Fuel Poverty

These are minor operational provisions which have the potential to strengthen engagement and it will be important to ensure we undertake a proportionate level of consultation as part of the periodic reporting process and any future strategy review. The Scottish Government considers that the provisions will have no particular direct or indirect impact on children and young people and therefore that a Stage 2 CRWIA is not required for these specific provisions in the Bill.

Part 6 - New Homes Ombudsman

This is a minor provision which enables the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman to share information with the UK New Homes Ombudsman, when established. The Scottish Government considers that this will have no particular direct or indirect impact on children and young people and therefore that a Stage 2 CRWIA is not required for these specific provisions in the Bill.