MINISTERIAL FOREWORD 
The protection of Scotland's children - to keep them happy, healthy, and safe from harm - is fundamental to the success of the Scottish Government's aspirations for children and young people. We cannot expect our children to flourish and become responsible citizens, successful learners, confident individuals and effective contributors to society if they do not have the best start in life.
Since the Scottish Office guidance, Protection Children - A Shared Responsibility, was published in 1998, the child protection landscape in Scotland has developed considerably. New legislation, new areas of practice and new approaches have shaped the direction of activity at both national and local level. Online safety, child trafficking and the protection of children affected by parental substance misuse are some of the specific issues that have become the focus of our attention in recent years. But one of the most fundamental developments has been Scotland's move towards children's services that keep the interests of the child at the centre of every process, action and decision. The continuing development of the Getting it right for every child approach has been instrumental in this, and a strengthening emphasis on multi-agency planning and decision-making.
The revised National Guidance on Child Protection reflects this changed and changing landscape; and also the Scottish Government's distinctive and strong commitment to working in partnership with practitioners across the child protection sector to best support local practice at national level.
I am proud to say that this guidance is a product of that approach. It has been developed by practitioners, for practitioners. And to that end, I hope that regardless of the nature of your contact with children and young people, that the guidance is helpful in shaping your local practices and procedures, and setting a common understanding of the standard of service our children deserve.
This guidance will be the lynchpin of our work going forward - in both continuing our multi-agency, early intervention approach to the delivery of children's services; and crystallising a set of irrefutable principles for child protection practice that keeps the best interests of the child at the centre of everything we do. It will help us consolidate the excellent work that already goes on across the country in responding to concerns when they are raised. And it will challenge us in thinking how we can more effectively spot those children who fall under the radar and miss out on the early support and protection they need.
I commend this guidance to you. Regardless of how your work impacts on children and families, it is everyone's job to make sure that our children have the best start in life. I hope that this guidance sets the framework within which we can all fulfil this responsibility.
Adam Ingram
Minister for Children and Early Years