The Scottish Government Response To 'A Scotland for Children: A Consultation on a Children and Young People Bill'

The Child's Plan

The consultation proposed introducing a duty on public bodies to ensure that all statutory planning and assessment relating to a child or young person's wellbeing is appropriately integrated into a single framework and that all relevant planning activity in regard to individual children is brought together into a Child's Plan.

What You Said

76% of respondents agreed the proposal will help improve outcomes for children. One recurring view was that the planning approach in itself cannot improve outcomes and should not be the main focus. Instead attention should be given to implementing the Plan and making it work in practice with the active involvement of appropriate agencies and the children and their families. Respondents in support of the proposal felt it would: improve outcomes for children; encourage a more joined up approach; and reduce bureaucracy.

Concerns about the proposal related to the juxtaposition with existing legislation involving plans required of different agencies. Greater clarity was sought over existing legislation which some respondents felt overlapped with this proposal. Also, some respondents felt the Child's Plan might be trying to achieve too much.

Many respondents agreed in general terms that the involvement of children, young people and their families in the development of the Child's Plan was important. It was felt that any arrangements should be age appropriate and mindful of setting expectations.

The Scottish Government Response

The Bill will ensure that a Child's Plan is created for every child and young person who requires one. Not every child or young person needs a plan. Most will see their wellbeing needs addressed through the services provided generally to all children and young people. But where there is concern that a young person's wellbeing will be adversely affected without a targeted intervention then a Child's Plan will be prepared. The Child's Plan will set out an overview of the child or young person's needs, the actions which require to be provided to meet the assessed needs, who will undertake those actions, and the desired outcomes. Whilst there will be a requirement for the Child's Plan to be kept under review, it is expected that review and monitoring of the Plan will be largely driven by the child's needs. In other words the timing will be dependent on the nature and intensity of needs and risks: the more severe, the more frequent the monitoring and review.

Health boards and local authorities will have responsibility for producing a Child's Plan within their own agency when necessary, or for transferring responsibility should the Plan need to be coordinated by another agency. Other public bodies will have a duty to cooperate as required in the production of a Child's Plan and its maintenance.

Much of the detail of what should be included in the Child's Plan will be set out in regulation and guidance issued by Scottish Ministers. This regulation and guidance will also make clear the relationship between the Child's Plan and other statutory planning mechanisms such as the Coordinated Support Plan as part of additional support for learning.