Highland architect of controversial child protection policy defends plan
A Highland Council official who drew up a controversial national strategy that gives every child in Scotland a named person said those who do not support it have misconstrued his plan.
Head of care and learning Bill Alexander said concerns by campaigners who claim it contravenes the European Convention on Human Rights were misguided.
The No To Named Persons (NO2NP) campaign group, and some churchmen, believe the policy undermines parents and allows the state unlimited access to pry into the privacy of families in their homes.
The group is today (Wednesday) lodging papers to launch a legal battle against the bill at the Court of Session in Edinburgh.
It has been operating in Highland where it was set up in 2009.
Mr Alexander said it had proven to work well for children in the area.
"We have fewer children being reported to the Children’s Reporter, we have fewer children on the Child Protection Register, we have fewer children offending.
"And we had an inspection by the Care Inspectorate in November and December where we got the highest grades out of any local authority in Scotland."
He added: "I don’t understand why people want to spread misinformation about a system that supports families and reduces the number of vulnerable children and is a Scottish success story."
The scheme in Highland automatically gives health visitors the role of named person. The head teacher takes over this role when the child goes to school.
Citing an example of how it would work in practical terms, Mr Alexander said: "Mrs Smith might be concerned about her son suddenly becoming withdrawn and out of sorts. She’s worried about what’s causing that.
"She goes to the school and the head teacher might suggest he sees a social worker or join a group. If she says "Yes, let’s do that," the head teacher can put that in place.
"Previously you would have to have forms filled out and meeting after meetins but we have taken out that level of beaurocracy and it just happens."
