Children’s Hearings Scotland welcomes the Children (Care, Care Experience and Services Planning) (Scotland) Bill, which was introduced to the Scottish Parliament yesterday, 17 June.

Among other changes that aim to improve the experience of care for infants, children and young people, the Bill proposes updates to the legal framework of children’s hearings so we can deliver the best outcomes for children growing up now and long into the future.

The hearings system was founded on the Kilbrandon principle, which states we focus on the child’s needs, not their deeds. This principle remains at the centre of the system.

While the Bill is an endorsement of the hearings system and the crucial role our volunteers play in protecting the rights of children, it recognises that to best protect the rights of children now, and long into the future, the system needs to be able to continually evolve and adapt.

We will continue to work with the Scottish Government as the Bill passes through Parliament to ensure the needs and rights of care-experienced children are at the heart of hearings and the care system more widely.