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Judges block ‘named person’ plans

The UK Supreme Court has ruled against the Scottish government’s plan for every child in Scotland to have a ‘named person’ to support their wellbeing.

Following a legal challenge to the policy by campaigners, judges have said that some of the proposals breach rights to privacy and a family life under the European Convention of Human Rights, preventing the scheme from becoming law.

The scheme is already being trialled in some areas and was due to be rolled out nationally by 31 August.

The appeal was brought by the No to Named Persons (NO2NP) coalition, which includes the Christian Institute, Care (Christian Action Research and Education), Tyme Trust, the Family Education Trust, and three individuals.

The court ruled that changes must be made to the information-sharing provisions of the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act. Currently part 4 of the Act relating to the sharing of information about children, young people and families without their consent does not comply with Article 8 of the European Convention Human Rights (ECHR).

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