Current status: Answered by Natalie Don-Innes on 10 March 2026
To ask the Scottish Government what review it has undertaken of procedures relating to the disclosure of abuse by children with a learning disability, autism or neurodiversity, including those children who are non-verbal.
Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that robust child protection measures are in place across Scotland, and continue to be followed at all times. This includes for children with a learning disability, autism or neurodiversity.
The National Guidance for Child Protection in Scotland was reviewed and updated in 2023, including specific considerations for children with disabilities. A range of research and specialist resources informed this including reports from NSPCC, Disability Equality Scotland and the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.
The guidance sets out that the experience of each child must be central. Their voice and feelings must be heard when people make decisions that involve them. It recognises that some children require specific assistance and communication support so that they can share their experience.
Scottish Government officials also sit on the independent Disabled Children Child Protection Network which brings together workers from across Scotland who are currently involved in working within child protection or services for disabled children. The Network aims to improve practice in the protection of disabled children by supporting practitioners to develop and share best practice. One of the Network’s current workstreams is focussed on the voice of disabled children, looking at how it is captured, responded to and used to inform decision making.