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The Scottish Government is taking a number of actions to increase abuse recovery services nationally for children and their families.

We have commissioned NHS Education Scotland to lead the development of a comprehensive Skills and Knowledge Framework and National Training Plan for those working with those of all ages who are affected by trauma and abuse in Scotland.

In 2016 we are investing over £3.4million through our Children’s Services Fund to deliver specialist services for children and young people experiencing domestic abuse

The Equally Safe strategy, published in March 2016, aims to prevent and eradicate all forms of violence against women and girls including children experiencing domestic abuse.

Through the Children, Young People and Families Early Intervention Fund the Scottish Government funds a number of third sector organisations who deliver prevention services, and provide support for children and young people who have suffered from different forms of abuse

We have invested £19.8 million over the last seven years to increase the number of psychologists working in specialist CAMHS and to improve mental health services across the whole of Scotland, we’re investing an additional £150 million for mental health over five years.

In addition, Scotland is one of the few countries in the world that has dedicated funding for support services for adult survivors of child abuse. Since 2007, the Scottish Government has invested £9million to third and voluntary sector organisations which offer a wide range of local services across Scotland that support survivors of child abuse, with a further £1.5million invested in survivor support services for people who experienced abuse whilst in care. The Scottish Government’s Survivor Scotland Innovation and Development fund in 2015-16 provides a further £1million to support services for all survivors.

There were eight Ministerial visits to (a) Orkney and five Ministerial visits to (b) Shetland from 2007-08.

The information requested could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-02233 on 28 September 2016 which is available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-02233 on 28 September 2016 which is available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx

Since 12 July 2016, the Scottish Government has received one representation from a member of the Scottish Parliament only. Senior officials from the Scottish Government meet regularly with senior officers to discuss a range of issues including armed policing. I also meet regularly with the Chief Constable to discuss a range of issues, most recently on 7 September 2016.

As I said in my statement to Parliament on 16 June 2016 Police Scotland keeps its policy on the deployment of armed police officers under constant review. The Chief Constable is advised on armed policing by its armed policing monitoring group. The Scottish Government’s position continues to be that any future consideration by Police Scotland of any proposed change to the model of deployment should be subject to wide consultation by Police Scotland and take into account the views of the public, stakeholders and Parliament. The vast majority of Scotland’s police officers are not routinely armed and we have made an unequivocal commitment that that position will not change.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-02233 on 28 September 2016 which is available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.

This government have committed to include guidance on the use of restraint (for all children, including children with complex additional support needs), in the context of de-escalation as part of early intervention approaches in our refreshed guidance ‘Included, Engaged and Involved Part two: A Positive Approach to Preventing and Managing School Exclusions’.

This refreshed guidance will be published 2016-17.

In addition, ‘Holding Safely’ (updated 2013) Scottish Government guidance on the use of restraint in residential settings (which is applicable in schools and other establishments) is available.