Ministers plan to introduce the increase from 475 hours to 600 from 2014.
Measures in the Bill also include:
- Looked-after two-year-olds and those in kinship care to receive the same entitlement as three-and-four-year-olds.
- A named person for every child from birth, to safeguard and support their wellbeing, working with other bodies as required.
- Providing kinship carers with more support to give families greater stability.
Aileen Campbell, the minister for children and young people, also announced an extra £10m on top of the £20m Third Sector Early Intervention fund. This will be shared between 45 organisations working closely with children, young people and families, as part of the wider investment in prevention and early intervention. This increases the total budget for the fund to £30million over two years, an increase on the funding available over the previous two years.
Ms Campbell said, ‘There is excellent work being done across Scotland to support parents, carers, children and young people. This Bill will improve levels of care and support to children and families across the country through an increase in free and more flexible early learning and childcare from 475 to 600 hours, as well as more joined up services to support the wellbeing of all children and young people through a named person. Further measures will also add stability to kinship care arrangements. The level of investment the Scottish Government is putting into ensuring the Bill works for Scotland’s young people also demonstrates out commitment in our children from the very start.
Anne Houston, chief executive of charity Children 1st, said, ‘We support the Bill’s intentions and must all now maximise the opportunity before us to achieve the Scottish Government’s vision.’
‘We are heartened by the proposals to provide 600 hours of flexible early learning and childcare for children in kinship care aged two and to provide a statutory definition of well-being.’
Martin Crewe, director of Barnado’s Scotland, said, ‘This Bill will be an important step forward in improving the lives of Scotland’s most vulnerable children and young people. We are particularly pleased to see more support for those young people leaving care, many of whom are not getting the help they need to make a successful transition into adulthood.’
‘We are looking forward to scrutinising the Bill and working with the Scottish Parliament to ensure that it delivers on the Scottish Government’s aim to make Scotland the best place in the world to bring up children.’
Voice, the union for education professionals, which represents education, early years and childcare staff across the UK has also welcomed the bill. Deborah Lawson, the general secretary, said, ‘The measures announced today represent a significant boost to the early years and childcare sector, to children’s welfare and to family support. We hope that they will go hand-in-hand with appropriate, funded training and development for the staff providing the care. The Bill announced in Scotland is in sharp contrast to the Westminster Government’s cut corners, lower standards, see-saw policies.’
A 12-week consultation on the Bill was launched in July 2012 and was accompanied by extensive stakeholder communication, including national engagement events with over 800 stakeholders and activities with nearly 2,400 children and young people.
The Children and Young People (Scotland) Bill will also increase the powers of Scotland’s Commissioner for Children and Young People as well as improving support for kinship carers, families and care leavers.
The £10 million will go towards Strategic Funding Partnerships for children and youth organisations.
The Third Sector Early Intervention Fund is managed by the BIG Lottery on behalf of the Scottish Government.
