Preface
No matter where they live or whatever their needs, children and families need to know where they can seek help, what help is available, that the help is appropriate to their needs and will be delivered to the highest possible standard.
Getting it right for every child is the programme for change that will revolutionise services for children. It gives clear authority and responsibility to agencies and professionals to work with children, families, local communities and each other, in a way that brings practicality and reality to the vision for Scotland's children.
What is this guidance?
This guidance on the child's or young person's plan sets out the structure of the plan as intended in Getting it right for every child. The plan has been designed to help all practitioners and staff working with children and families in any organisation in the community think about the needs of a child or young person.
The child's plan is the core of the approach to meeting the needs of children as set out in Getting it right for every child.
This guidance is the first of a set of tools for practitioners, which will be developed and improved in the light of experience and developing legislation. |
How does it fit with legal duties and the proposed Children's Services (Scotland) Bill?
The approach is based on legislation as it currently exists. In addition the guidance also signposts areas where legislation is being proposed by the draft Children's Services (Scotland) Bill which is being consulted upon until 31 March 2007 - see www.scotland.gov.uk/childrensservicesbill. The guidance will be revised in the light of experience and the proposed development of this legislation, subject to decisions on the way forward made by the new Scottish Executive after the May 2007 elections. This draft guidance does not therefore have statutory status and current statutory responsibilities remain in force. This guidance is, however, intended to be the basis for future statutory guidance on the child's or young person's plan.
While the proposed legislation is not currently in place, we would expect agencies to be working towards the introduction and use of plans as part of best practice. This will help agencies prepare to deliver on Scottish Ministers' expectation that every child or young person going to a Children's Hearing should have a plan in line with Getting it right for every child by December 2007.
Scottish Executive
January 2007