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Children (Scotland) Act 1995 in Northern Ireland

1995 c. 36 · Enacted 19 July 1995 · Extends to United Kingdom

Not fully up to date. 48 changes made by later legislation have not yet been written into this text, which is revised to 21 September 2025.

See the changes not yet applied
ProvisionChangeMade by
s. 11 cross-headingsubstitutedChildren (Scotland) Act 2020 s. 1(7)
s. 11(14)insertedChildren (Scotland) Act 2020 s. 10(2)(b)
s. 12 cross-headinginsertedChildren (Scotland) Act 2020 s. 1(8)
s. 11GinsertedChildren (Scotland) Act 2020 s. 22(2)
s. 11ZA 11ZBinsertedChildren (Scotland) Act 2020 s. 1(4)
s. 11ZA(2A)insertedChildren (Scotland) Act 2020 s. 30(2)
s. 11ZA(3)(f)insertedChildren (Scotland) Act 2020 s. 16(2)
s. 4BinsertedChildren (Scotland) Act 2020 s. 28(2)
s. 11(2)(d)words insertedChildren (Scotland) Act 2020 s. 10(2)(a)
s. 11(7)-(7E)repealedChildren (Scotland) Act 2020 s. 1(3)(a)
s. 11(8)words repealedChildren (Scotland) Act 2020 s. 1(3)(b)
s. 11(9)repealedChildren (Scotland) Act 2020 s. 1(3)(c)
s. 11(10)repealedChildren (Scotland) Act 2020 s. 1(3)(c)
s. 11B 11CinsertedChildren (Scotland) Act 2020 s. 8(2)
s. 11B(2)power to amend conferredChildren (Scotland) Act 2020 s. 32
s. 11DinsertedChildren (Scotland) Act 2020 s. 17(2)
s. 11D(3)power to amend conferredChildren (Scotland) Act 2020 s. 32
s. 11EinsertedChildren (Scotland) Act 2020 s. 18(2)
s. 11FinsertedChildren (Scotland) Act 2020 s. 20(2)
s. 14(4)words substitutedChildren (Scotland) Act 2020 s. 1(5)
s. 16(2)-(2B)substituted for s. 16(2)Children (Scotland) Act 2020 s. 1(6)
s. 100AinsertedChildren (Scotland) Act 2020 s. 21(2)
s. 101DinsertedChildren (Scotland) Act 2020 s. 11(2)
s. 101EinsertedChildren (Scotland) Act 2020 s. 12(2)
Sch. 4 para. 6repealedTrusts and Succession (Scotland) Act 2024 Sch. 2
s. 10(1A)insertedTrusts and Succession (Scotland) Act 2024 Sch. 1 para. 18(b)
s. 10(1)(b)words insertedTrusts and Succession (Scotland) Act 2024 Sch. 1 para. 18(a)
Sch. 4 para. 4repealedJudicial Factors (Scotland) Act 2025 sch. 3 Pt. 1
Sch. 4 para. 2repealedJudicial Factors (Scotland) Act 2025 sch. 3 Pt. 1
s. 30repealedChildren (Care, Care Experience and Services Planning) (Scotland) Act 2026 s. 7(5)
s. 26A(4)(a)words insertedChildren (Care, Care Experience and Services Planning) (Scotland) Act 2026 s. 22(2)(b)(iii)
s. 26A(7A)insertedChildren (Care, Care Experience and Services Planning) (Scotland) Act 2026 s. 24(2)
s. 17A(2)words repealedChildren (Care, Care Experience and Services Planning) (Scotland) Act 2026 s. 7(4)
s. 25(1)(d)insertedChildren (Care, Care Experience and Services Planning) (Scotland) Act 2026 s. 20(2)
s. 29repealedChildren (Care, Care Experience and Services Planning) (Scotland) Act 2026 s. 7(5)
s. 26A(1)words insertedChildren (Care, Care Experience and Services Planning) (Scotland) Act 2026 s. 22(2)(a)
s. 26A(3A)insertedChildren (Care, Care Experience and Services Planning) (Scotland) Act 2026 s. 23(2)
s. 26A(4)word insertedChildren (Care, Care Experience and Services Planning) (Scotland) Act 2026 s. 22(2)(b)(i)
s. 26A(4)(a)words in s. 26A(4) renumbered as s. 26A(4)(a)Children (Care, Care Experience and Services Planning) (Scotland) Act 2026 s. 22(2)(b)(i)
s. 26A(4)(b) and wordinsertedChildren (Care, Care Experience and Services Planning) (Scotland) Act 2026 s. 22(2)(b)(iv)
s. 25(3)word substitutedChildren (Care, Care Experience and Services Planning) (Scotland) Act 2026 s. 21(2)(a)(i)
s. 25(3)word substitutedChildren (Care, Care Experience and Services Planning) (Scotland) Act 2026 s. 21(2)(a)(ii)
s. 25(3A)insertedChildren (Care, Care Experience and Services Planning) (Scotland) Act 2026 s. 21(2)(b)
s. 22(4)(a)words repealedTax Credits Act 2002 Sch. 6
s. 3(3A)(ba)insertedWelfare Reform Act 2009 Sch. 6 para. 25
s. 22(4)(a)-(c)repealedWelfare Reform Act 2012 Sch. 14 Pt. 1
s. 93words insertedChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 s. 13(11)(b)
s. 93words omittedChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 s. 13(11)(a)

An Act to reform the law of Scotland relating to children, to the adoption of children and to young persons who as children have been looked after by a local authority; to make new provision as respects the relationship between parent and child and guardian and child in the law of Scotland; to make provision as respects residential establishments for children and certain other residential establishments; and for connected purposes.

[19th July 1995]

Be it enacted by the Queen’s most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—C1

Annotations to the whole text

Modifications

C1

Act: power to modify conferred (1.9.2025) by 2011 asp 1, s. 190(2A) (as substituted by Children (Care and Justice) (Scotland) Act 2024 (asp 5), ss. 29(2)(b), 38(3); S.S.I. 2025/115, reg. 2(2)(c))

Contents

  1. 4Acquisition of parental rights and responsibilities by natural father.
  2. 4AAcquisition of parental responsibilities and parental rights by second female parent by agreement with mother
  3. 5Care or control of child by person without parental responsibilities or parental rights.
  4. 6Views of children.
  5. Guardianship
  6. 7Appointment of guardians.
  7. 8Revocation and other termination of appointment.
  8. Administration of child’s property
  9. 9Safeguarding of child’s property.
  10. 10Obligations and rights of person administering child’s property.
  11. 11ARestriction on making of orders under section 11
  12. 13Awards of damages to children.
  13. Jurisdiction and choice of law
  14. Interpretation
  15. Part II: Promotion of Children’s Welfare by Local Authorities and by Children’s Hearings etc.
  16. Chapter 1: Support for Children and Their Families
  17. Introductory
  18. 17ADetained children to be treated as looked after children
  19. 18Duty of persons with parental responsibilities to notify change of address to local authority looking after child.
  20. Provision of services
  21. 26Manner of provision of accommodation to child looked after by local authority.
  22. 26AProvision of continuing care: looked after children
  23. Miscellaneous and General
  24. 33Effect of orders etc. made in different parts of the United Kingdom.
  25. 33ARegulation of cross-border placements
  26. Chapter 2: Children’s Hearings
  27. 41Safeguarding child’s interests in proceedings. Repealed
  28. Conduct of proceedings at and in connection with children’s hearing
  29. 44Prohibition of publication of proceedings at children’s hearing.
  30. 48Transfer of case to another children’s hearing. Repealed
  31. Chapter 3: Protection and supervision of Children
  32. 55Child assessment orders. Repealed
  33. 57Child protection orders. Repealed
  34. 58Directions in relation to contact and exercise of parental responsibilities and parental rights. Repealed
  35. 59Initial hearing of case of child subject to child protection order. Repealed
  36. 60Duration, recall or variation of child protection order. Repealed
  37. 61Emergency protection of children where child protection order not available. Repealed
  38. 62Regulations in respect of emergency child protection measures. Repealed
  39. 64Business meeting preparatory to children’s hearing. Repealed
  40. Referral to, and disposal of case by, children’s hearing
  41. 71AEnforcement of local authorities' duties under section 71 Repealed
  42. 74Further provision as respects children subject to supervision requirements. Repealed
  43. Failure to provide education for excluded pupils
  44. 75BFailure to provide education for excluded pupils: reference to Scottish Ministers Repealed
  45. 77Effect of, and orders etc. ancillary to, exclusion order.
  46. 79Duration, variation and recall of exclusion order.
  47. 80Exclusion orders: supplementary provisions.
  48. 81Offences in connection with orders etc. for protection of children. Repealed
  49. Fugitive children and harbouring
  50. 82Recovery of certain fugitive children. Repealed
  51. 83Harbouring. Repealed
  52. 84Implementation of authorisations etc. Repealed
  53. 85Application for review of establishment of grounds of referral. Repealed
  54. Chapter 4: Parental Responsibilities Orders, etc.
  55. Interpretation of Part II
  56. 93Interpretation of Part II.
  57. Part IV: General and Supplemental
  58. 101ARegister for child welfare reporters
  59. 101BRegister of curators ad litem for the purposes of section 11D
  60. 101CContact services: regulation
  61. 104Financial provision.
  62. 105Extent, short title, minor and consequential amendments, repeals and commencement.
  63. Appointment Repealed
  64. 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
  65. 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
  66. Children’s Panel Advisory Committees Repealed
  67. 3Paragraph 3 Repealed
  68. 4Paragraph 4 Repealed
  69. 5Paragraph 5 Repealed
  70. 6Paragraph 6 Repealed
  71. 7Paragraph 7 Repealed
  72. Joint Advisory Committees Repealed
  73. 8Paragraph 8 Repealed
  74. Recruitment and training of panel members Repealed
  75. Expenses of panel members Repealed
  76. 11Paragraph 11 Repealed
  77. Publication of list of members of children’s panel Repealed
  78. 12Paragraph 12 Repealed
  79. 1Paragraph 1
  80. 2Paragraph 2
  81. 3Paragraph 3
  82. 5Paragraph 5
  83. 6Paragraph 6
  84. 7Paragraph 7
  85. 8Paragraph 8
  86. 9Paragraph 9
  87. 10Paragraph 10
  88. 11Paragraph 11
  89. Schedule 4: Minor and Consequential Amendments
  90. 1Paragraph 1
  91. 2Paragraph 2
  92. 3Paragraph 3
  93. 4Paragraph 4
  94. 5Paragraph 5
  95. 6Paragraph 6
  96. 7Paragraph 7
  97. 8Paragraph 8
  98. 9Paragraph 9
  99. 11Paragraph 11
  100. 12Paragraph 12
  101. 13Paragraph 13
  102. 14Paragraph 14
  103. 16Paragraph 16
  104. 17Paragraph 17
  105. 18Paragraph 18
  106. 20Paragraph 20
  107. 21Paragraph 21
  108. 22Paragraph 22
  109. 26Paragraph 26
  110. 30Paragraph 30
  111. Civil Jurisdiction and Judgments Act 1982 (c. 27)
  112. 31Paragraph 31
  113. 32Paragraph 32
  114. 34Paragraph 34
  115. 36Paragraph 36
  116. Child Abduction and Custody Act 1985 (c. 60)
  117. 37Paragraph 37
  118. 38Paragraph 38
  119. 39Paragraph 39
  120. 40Paragraph 40
  121. Family Law Act 1986 (c. 55)
  122. 41Paragraph 41
  123. 43Paragraph 43
  124. 44Paragraph 44
  125. 45Paragraph 45
  126. 47Paragraph 47
  127. 49Paragraph 49
  128. 50Paragraph 50
  129. 51Paragraph 51
  130. 52Paragraph 52
  131. 53Paragraph 53
  132. Armed Forces Act 1991 (c. 62)
  133. 54Paragraph 54
  134. Tribunals and Inquiries Act 1992 (c. 53)
  135. 56Paragraph 56
  136. 57Paragraph 57
  137. Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 (SI 1995/755 (N.I.2))
  138. 58Paragraph 58
  139. 59Paragraph 59
  140. 60Paragraph 60
  141. Schedule 5Repeals