AN expert has said the standard of children’s reporters in Scotland is “of significant concern”.

During an evidence session of the Justice Committee on the Children (Scotland) Bill, chartered psychologist Dr Sue Whitcombe raised questions about the quality of staff currently working in Scotland, particularly those with no background in child welfare.

Whitcombe told MSPs the professional background of someone in the role is more important than any training they could be offered. She said she was concerned safeguarding issues would not be identified or referred on. The bill, which is designed to update the Children (Scotland) Act passed in 1995, would strive to make improvements in training and oversight of people who deal with children in family courts.

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Children who are believed to be vulnerable will be referred, perhaps by the local authority, to reporters so action to protect their welfare can be taken. This could include recommending the holding of a children’s hearing.

The legislation would lead to the creation of a register of children’s welfare reporters. They would have to meet specific criteria to be included. The bill also legislates for the creation of a similar register for curator ad litem – a person appointed by a court to represent someone without the ability to represent themselves, such as a child, which would follow a similar procedure.

The main point of the bill is to ensure the views of young people are heard in family courts.

Whitcombe said she had concerns about the suitability of some children’s reporters, who were trained solicitors and not trained professionals in child welfare, to recognise issues such as domestic violence and parental influence when dealing with young people.

She said the system in England and Wales, where the equivalent of a children’s reporter has to be a trained social worker, was a better way of dealing with the needs of children.

She added: “I find it very difficult to understand how somebody whose core practice isn’t around family relationships and the welfare and development of the child should be making recommendations on the way to go forward.

Whitcombe said incorrect recommendations from reporters can result in a case being “entrenched” in court for a long time, or could end in “poorer outcomes for the child”.