Children (Care and Justice) (Scotland) Bill

# Children (Care and Justice) (Scotland) Bill The Children (Care and Justice) (Scotland) Bill addresses long-standing concerns about how Scotland's legal and care systems treat vulnerable children. It responds to evidence that children in the criminal justice system and those in state care often experience poor outcomes, including high rates of reoffending, mental health problems, and social exclusion. The bill recognises that many of these young people have experienced trauma, neglect, or abuse, and that the current system sometimes fails to provide adequate support or rehabilitation. It also reflects international best practice and recommendations from child welfare experts that emphasise the importance of keeping children out of the formal criminal justice process where possible and ensuring that care and justice responses are trauma-informed and child-centred. The bill introduces several key mechanisms to reform how Scotland responds to children in difficulty. These include raising the minimum age of criminal responsibility, introducing new measures for diverting children away from prosecution toward support services, and placing greater emphasis on rehabilitation rather than punishment within the youth justice system. The legislation also aims to improve coordination between social work, health, and justice services to ensure vulnerable children receive integrated support. Additionally, it introduces enhanced duties on local authorities and other agencies regarding the care of children at risk. The bill represents a significant shift in philosophy, treating child offenders and children in care primarily as young people needing help rather than punishment, though its implementation and full impact continue to evolve as it moves through the legislative process.

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