Safeguarding children's interests in welfare proceedings: the Scottish experience

Hill, M., Lockyer, A., Morton, P., Batchelor, S. and Scott, J. (2003) Safeguarding children's interests in welfare proceedings: the Scottish experience. Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law, 25(1), pp. 1-21. (doi: 10.1080/0964906032000086223)

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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.

Item Type:Articles
Keywords:Child Welfare, Children's Rights, Scotland, Training
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Batchelor, Dr Susan
Authors: Hill, M., Lockyer, A., Morton, P., Batchelor, S., and Scott, J.
College/School:College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences > Sociology Anthropology and Applied Social Sciences
Journal Name:Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law
ISSN:0964-9069

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