Scottish Conservatives win backing to keep localism at heart of Children’s Hearing system

Scottish Conservatives tabled amendments to Stage 3 of the Children's Hearing (Scotland) Bill this afternoon designed to keep a local focus at the heart. These amendments were passed through during the course of the Bill's passage.

Liz Smith MSP, Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Education & Lifelong Learning, said:

"I have fought very hard to ensure that the best part of the existing system, namely the effective delivery of the children's hearing system at local level, has been retained within the new legislation. As such, the system can respond much better to the diverse needs of children who come from many different parts of Scotland where local circumstances vary considerably. I am delighted this central principle won Parliamentary support.

"While there was clearly a need for the office of National Convenor when it came to providing more consistency of training for panel members, there was concern that this office could become too powerful if it removed the flexibility and accountability from local areas and if it was subject to too much direction from Scottish Government Ministers. That situation would have been unacceptable to many stakeholder groups within the panel system.

"We must never forget the panel system's best asset is the hundreds of volunteers who look after the best interests of our vulnerable children. This new legislation supports them in this aim."

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