Decision-making process of when child should be removed from family home to be examined by Scottish Parliament

Published on 27/06/2012 10:38

A NEW investigation into when children should be removed from their family homes and placed into care has been launched by a Scottish Parliament committee.

Members of Holyrood’s education and culture committee will look at the decision-making process that takes place when social workers try to decide if and when a child should be removed from a family home.

Committee convener Stewart Maxwell, an SNP MSP, said that the inquiry would help ensure “that we are making the best decisions for children who may be abused or neglected”.

The inquiry comes after the committee carried out an investigation into the educational achievements of youngsters in care.

Mr Maxwell said during that inquiry it “became clear that there is a sensitive and difficult balance to be struck between supporting families at home and intervening to remove children from harmful situations”.

He launched the committee’s new inquiry on a visit to the Barnardo’s Scotland Fostering Service in Edinburgh.

He said: “This inquiry is not about rushing to make judgments about the systems currently in place. It is about asking the difficult questions to make sure that these systems really are working for children and their families.

“Our committee will examine the processes involved in deciding whether to remove a child from the family home and consider whether these are consistent across the country.

“Only by doing this can we really be sure that we are making the best decisions for children who may be abused or neglected.”

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