Unveiling the executive's plans for the coming year, First Minister JackMcConnell announced four Bills that will alter the legal landscape forchildren's services: an Adoption Bill; the Children's Hearings andIntegrated Services Bill; Health Promotion, Nutrition and Schools Bill;and the Scottish Schools (Parental Involvement) Bill.
The Adoption Bill, the first update of Scottish adoption law in adecade, will replace court orders with more flexible permanence orders,allow unmarried and same-sex couples to adopt, and will introduce anational fostering allowance system.
Barbara Hudson, director of BAAF Scotland, said the Bill had thepotential to make a "real difference" but noted that without adequatefunding and workforce training this potential might not be realised.
The Bill to reform children's hearings will contain a legal duty onservices to work together. The Scottish Schools (Parental Involvement)Bill will legally require schools to involve parents in decision-makingand the Health Promotion, Nutrition and Schools Bill will attempt toforce local authorities to improve school meals. The Executive alsointends to increase the minimum age at which people can buy knives from16 to 18.
- www.scotland.gov.uk.
