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xNew report on disabled children and young people’s experiences in social work services
Date: 8th October 2024
Category:
Basic Health and Welfare, General measures of implementation
Author:
Care Inspecorate
The Care Inspectorate has published a thematic review to understand the pressing need for improved support for disabled children and young people across Scotland. The report aimed to learn and understand more about disabled children and young people’s views and experiences of the support they receive from social work services with the main focus on social work’s contribution to getting it right for every disabled child and consider how well disabled children’s rights were being respected and upheld. The most significant barriers found were high demand for services and pressure on resources.
As a result, staff often lacked the time to build the relationships needed for meaningful communication with children and young people. Weaker relationships were marked by infrequent direct contact and frequent staff changes, with those who have multiple and complex needs feeling the impact most severely.
The report stresses the significant impact of these barriers on children and young people, many of whom feel their voices are not heard or valued in decision-making processes. These experiences are in clear contradiction to the rights outlined in both the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).
In more than half of the cases reviewed, the report found significant gaps in ensuring that children and young people were actively listened to and supported in making informed choices about their lives. Article 12 of the UNCRC says Every child has the right to express their views, feelings and wishes in all matters affecting them, and to have their views considered and taken seriously. Too many disabled children and young people feel that their views, feelings and wishes were not being heard or taken into account.
The incorporation of the UNCRC into Scots law is a major step towards fully embedding children's rights. This requires public authorities to actively ensure that children's rights are upheld in their decision-making and service delivery.
The report also includes actions which requires a shared approach across Scottish Government, local authorities, national and local organisations and public bodies, including the Care inspectorate.