Safeguarding children's interests: the Scottish experience

M. Hill, A. Lockyer, P. Morton, S. Batchelor, J. Scott

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

4 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Against a backdrop of new arrangements for representing children's interests in England, this paper examines the role of 'safeguarders' in Scottish children's hearings. Safeguarders may be appointed by children's hearings and sheriffs when it is in the child's interests to do so. Recent research conducted by the authors revealed that the performance of most safeguarders is very well regarded. However, the arrangements for recruitment, training, monitoring and support are highly variable and often limited. The independence of safeguarders is widely supported. Certain aspects of the organization of the service and of the processes for allocating individual safeguarders to particular cases raise questions about consistency and independence.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1-21
Number of pages20
JournalJournal of Social Welfare and Family Law
Volume25
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Feb 2003

Keywords

  • Representation
  • Safeguarder
  • Children's Hearings
  • Children's Rights

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