No child aged under 18 will be sent to a young offenders institution under legislation that has been introduced to the Scottish Parliament.
The Children (Care and Justice) (Scotland) Bill aims to improve experiences and outcomes for children by diverting them away from the criminal courts, with maximum use of the welfare-based children’s hearings system and age-appropriate settings.
The Bill is key to Keeping The Promise to deliver on the recommendations of the Independent Care Review.
It also seeks to increase protection of victims in children’s cases.