The 1998 Guidance has stood us in good stead over the last 12 years, but with knowledge, understanding and practice changing so much over that period, it was time to review and revise the guidance to respond to the current climate for child protection.

 

 

When I recall that at the time of the last guidance, the existence and understanding of sexual abuse was still relatively recent – a government review of guidance in England and Wales did not mention sexual abuse until 1986 – while issues of neglect and emotional abuse were little understood, then it was important that the guidance be reviewed. 

Working on the review over the last year with a wide range of people from different disciplines, using experience and knowledge from across Scotland and elsewhere in the UK has been valuable and productive.

The enthusiasm of so many people has been invigorating, demonstrating the commitment of those involved in child protection work. 

This will ensure that Scotland has an effective, well considered and helpful framework for carrying out the difficult and demanding task required to provide the best possible support for our most vulnerable children.

The new guidance is an impressive statement of current best practice in child protection in Scotland and should be read with care by all those who are concerned about the welfare of the country’s children.

Tim Huntingford, Independent Chair of Renfrewshire Child Protection Committee and Member of the Scottish Government Review of Child Protection Guidance