Minutes: 27 November 2024

1. Subordinate legislation:

The Committee heard evidence on the Regulated Roles (Prohibitions and Requirements) (Scotland) Regulations 2024 [draft] from—

Natalie Don-Innes, Minister for Children, Young People and the Promise, Scottish Government;

Gareth Wilks, Director of Policy and Customer Engagement, Disclosure Scotland.

Jackie Dunbar declared an interest as she was previously a Local Councillor. 

2. Subordinate legislation:

Natalie Don-Innes, Minister for Children and Young People and the Promise to move—S6M-15259—That the Education, Children and Young People Committee recommends that the Regulated Roles (Prohibitions and Requirements) (Scotland) Regulations 2024 [draft] be approved.

The Committee agreed unanimously.

3. Subordinate legislation:

The Committee considered the following negative instruments—

SSI 2024/313 Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Referrals by Chief Constable) (Prescribed Information) (Scotland) Regulations 2024

SSI 2024/314 Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Information for Listing and Vetting) (Scotland) Regulations 2024

SSI 2024/315 Level 1 and Level 2 Disclosure Information (Scotland) Regulations 2024

SSI 2024/316 Consideration of Suitability for Regulated Roles (Prescribed Purposes) (Scotland) Regulations 2024

SSI 2024/317 Disclosure and Use of Level 2 Disclosures (Prescribed Purpose and Circumstances) (Scotland) Regulations 2024

The Committee made no comment on the instruments. 

4. Schools (Residential Outdoor Education) (Scotland) Bill:

The Committee heard evidence on the Bill at Stage 1 from—

Natalie Don-Innes, Minister for Children, Young People and the Promise and Saskia Kearns, Team Leader, Curriculum Development, Scottish Government;

Nico McKenzie-Juetten, Lawyer, Scottish Government Legal Directorate.

5. Review of Evidence Session (In Private):

The Committee considered the evidence it heard earlier under agenda item 4.

6. Work programme (In Private):

The Committee considered its work programme.

• The Committee noted the proposed Restraint and Seclusion (Prevention in Schools) (Scotland) Bill and that this may impact on the future work programme. 
• The Committee agreed to invite the Scottish Government to give evidence on the Promise.
• Further to the Committee’s agreement on 25 September 2024 to carry out joint work with Economy and Fair Work Committee on skills, the Committee agreed to consider an approach paper at a future meeting.
• A letter to the Finance and Public Administration Committee on the scrutiny of the Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland was agreed to and the Committee agreed to hold an evidence session with CYPCS in April 2025. 
• The Committee agreed to hold an evidence session on the Scottish Government’s updated Relationships, Sexual Health and Parenthood Guidance, once this is available, and agreed to consider an approach to this session at a future meeting.  
• The Committee noted that it has agreed to focus its next pre-budget scrutiny on early learning and childcare and agreed an approach paper will be brought to a future meeting. 
• The Committee agreed to take further evidence on the Scottish Attainment Challenge and transitions, and that approach papers will be brought to future meetings.
• The Committee agreed to take further evidence on additional support for learning from the Scottish Government and COSLA and to meeting informally with the young advisors working with My Rights My Say.
• The Committee agreed to hold an inquiry into widening access.
• The Committee agreed to hold two evidence sessions on VAT in independent schools. 
• The Committee agreed to the following list as future topics for consideration—

• STEM subjects and gender imbalance
• Discipline/ behaviour and attendance in Schools
• Literacy in Schools
• Session/s with Cabinet Secretary and Ministerial team
• Scottish Youth Parliament