Voluntary Sector Support
The Protection of Children (Scotland) Bill was amended at stage 2 to extend the duty to make referrals to the List to the voluntary sector. In extending this duty, the then Minister for Education and Young People gave a commitment that the Scottish Executive would put in place appropriate advice, training and guidance to help the voluntary sector meet the requirements of the legislation.
A working group was established to draw up the specification for the assistance required and to consider how this might best be delivered. A Consortium (Children in Scotland, Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations, Central Registered Body in Scotland and YouthLink Scotland) was awarded a grant to develop and deliver the support package. The package consists of three elements:
- Guidance and training pack in an adaptable and modular format;
- Awareness raising and training seminars to be held nationwide; and
- A helpline and web based support.
The awareness raising seminars ran until early October and were well attended. The guidance pack has been distributed widely amongst voluntary sector organisations and individuals and is available on the CRBS website. A helpline on the 2003 Act is being provided by CRBS with funding from the Scottish Executive. The number is 01786 849777.