MSPs have backed a bill aimed at improving the experience of children in the family legal system.
The Children (Scotland) Bill passed its first stage unanimously in Holyrood yesterday.
It proposes to give the views of children more weight in family disputes, as well as protecting victims of domestic abuse and their children, ensuring the best interests of the young person is at the heart of proceedings and achieving “further compliance” with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).
The legislation removes a provision in the Children (Scotland) Act 1995 that states children over the age of 12 are able to form a view in family proceedings, meaning those who are younger will have meaningful input.
Regulation of contact centres and child welfare reporters is also boosted in the legislation.
The bill was supported by the Justice Committee in a report, before the first stage went to the chamber. It urged the Scottish Government to make sure that changes will be fully resourced.
Community Safety Minister Ash Denham said during the consultation period a theme which emerged was “no-one is listening to me”. She added: “This bill aims to change that.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here