The Government is taking steps to strengthen the family justice system in Scotland. The Children (Scotland) Bill looks at how contact with the court system impacts on children, either directly or indirectly, and how children can be further protected and assisted if they and their families become involved with the courts.

A report has found that nearly 20% of siblings who have been taken into care have been split up due to difficulty finding them suitable places to live.

Scotland is set to ban the smacking of children, after the Scottish Government has committed to making sure a Bill prohibiting the physical punishment of children will become law.

Scotland has seen an increase in the number of ‘adoption parties’ which are being held in a bid to help increase the number of children who are in care finding permanent homes and families.

In one of the last moves before he finishes his work as child commissioner, Tam Baillie has called for Scotland to follow the example of other countries by banning smacking in the home, in a move he believes will make Scotland one of the best places in the world for a child to grow up in.