Child protection bill 'is flawed'

MSPs said there was a need to protect children's welfare

Plans to enhance the protection of children and vulnerable adults have been described as flawed by MSPs.

Holyrood's education committee said the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Bill was an improvement on the current disclosure system.

However, MSPs want ministers to shelve proposals to share sensitive information among public bodies.

They also argued that the bill should not go ahead until ministers explain how it would work in detail.

MSPs said that a culture which seeks to eliminate all risk may end up spoiling the chance of a rich and stimulating childhood for youngsters.

We think that the bill should not progress to stage two until all subordinate legislation and guidance has been consulted on Iain Smith Committee convener

The executive brought forward the proposals to strengthen vetting procedures in the wake of the Soham murders.

The bill comes only a year after new legislation on child protection.

Education committee convener Iain Smith said MSPs were concerned that much of the detail about how the new system would operate was unclear.

"Therefore, we think that the bill should not progress to stage two until all subordinate legislation and guidance has been consulted on," he said.

"This will allow stakeholders to see and understand how the new system will operate in detail."

Public bodies

The Liberal Democrat MSP said the committee was particularly concerned about a lack of consultation on the proposals for the sharing of personal information.

The bill would place a duty on public bodies and organisations to disclose information when a child is at risk of harm.

The committee said this should be removed from the bill and considered as part of separate legislation on the children's hearing system. The MSPs' report said that most voluntary organisations working with children and young people had "deep concerns" about the proposals.

It added: "The committee is concerned at the rapid growth of a culture that is increasingly characterised by the desire to eliminate all risk and the negative effect this may have on children.

"No piece of legislation can eliminate risk and we need to have a debate about how to balance the need to protect children and the need to ensure their welfare."