First report on Corporate Parenting in Scotland published
The first report examining how children and young people, and care leavers, have benefited from the support of Corporate Parents in Scotland has been published.
The Scottish Government’s ‘Report on Corporate Parenting: turning legislation into practice together’ was presented to the Scottish Parliament as a requirement of Part 9 of the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014.
Drawing upon information from approximately 124 Corporate Parenting plans, the contents offer an account of the impact of Corporate Parenting in Scotland since being established.
The duties of Corporate Parents in Scotland came into effect on 1 April 2015 and gives public sector organisations, and some individuals, the responsibility to listen to the needs, fears and wishes of children and young people, and be proactive and determined in their collective efforts to address these.
Writing in the report’s forward, Childcare and Early Years Minister Maree Todd mentions the awareness that care experienced children and young people now have of the Corporate Parent role:
“Children and young people have told me they ‘want to know who their Corporate Parents are’ and that they want ‘to be treated as equals’.”
Although not a fully comprehensive update on all Corporate Parenting activity in Scotland, the publication notes that all Corporate Parent plans should, by requirement, be published on the relevant owner’s websites.
Who are Scotland's Corporate Parents?
Corporate Parents, as listed in Schedule 4 of the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014, include:
- Scottish Ministers
- A local authority
- National Convener of Children’s Hearings Scotland
- Children’s Hearings Scotland
- The Principal Reporter
- Scottish Children’s Reporter Administration
- A health board
- A board constituted under section 2(1)b of the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978
- Healthcare Improvement Scotland
- Scottish Qualifications Authority
- Skills Development Scotland
- Social Care and Social Work Improvement Scotland (also known as the ‘Care Inspectorate’)
- Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC)
- Scottish Sports Council (also known as Sport Scotland)
- Chief Constable of the Police Service of Scotland
- Scottish Police Authority
- Scottish Fire and Rescue Service
- Scottish Legal Aid Board 1 The term ‘Scottish Ministers’ refers to the Scottish Government and its agencies. These include the Prison Service, Student Awards Agency for Scotland and Education Scotland. For further details please see the frequently asked questions section.
- Children and Young People's Commissioner Scotland (CYPCS)
- Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland
- Scottish Housing Regulator
- Bord na Gáidhlig
- Creative Scotland
- A body which is a ‘post-16 education body’ for the purposes of the Further and Higher Education (Scotland) Act 2005