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Since its designation as anational service in 1992, the Queen Elizabeth National Spinal Injuries Unit hasbeen able to admit children aged 12 years or over. This may be related to themove from primary to secondary education. It may also avoid any difficultieswhich might otherwise arise later if there were a need to make a transitionfrom paediatric to adult services.

The Scottish Executive willlook at what steps are required to give greater responsibilities to communitycouncils.

With regard to any statutorydevolution of budgets and decision-making powers to community councils, the Executive intends to seek the views of Parliament and relevant stakeholders inorder to identify any consensus for going forward.

The Scottish Executive’sguidance pack on Vulnerable Children and Young People, which was published inJuly 2003, contains specific recommendations on young runaways. Localauthorities are expected to have developed local protocols which give effect tothe guidance in ways which best suit their own circumstances.

The Executive does not havespecific plans at present to issue guidance to local authorities on thismatter, nor does it hold information centrally about steps taken by localauthorities to provide short-term refuge. To address the issue of short-termrefuge at a national level, the Executive is funding the Glasgow-based AberlourRunning Other Choices (ROC) project which provides short-term refuge for youngpeople aged 12 to 15 who run away from home or care. This funding support (2002-08)is on a pilot project basis.

The Executive’s guidancepack on Vulnerable Children and Young People, which was published in July 2003,contains specific recommendations on young runaways. Local authorities areexpected to have developed local protocols which give effect to the guidance inways which best suit their own circumstances.

Chartered Teacher alreadyoffers teachers substantial salary rewards in return for advanced learningwhich can lead to improved classroom practice. The scheme is currently beingreviewed to examine possible improvements. In the meantime universities reportincreasing interest in Chartered Teacher modules, in part as new generations ofteachers become eligible for entry.

The information requested innot held centrally.

A 24-hour helpline for peoplein emotional crisis is already well established through Samaritans. The ScottishGovernment supports Samaritans’ work in Scotland through core grant funding. Inaddition Choose Life (the implementationteam for the government’s strategy on suicide prevention) have provided fundingto enable Samaritans to develop a co-coordinated approach to suicide interventionin branches in Scotland. This funding has included support to Samaritans to recruitand train more volunteers, with specific training in suicide intervention trainingskills, and support to pilot a phone texting service which will be reviewed in November2007.

There are no plans to introducea separate service to meet the same needs.

The government also supportsa number of other initiatives which provide support to people in crisis or experiencinglow mood or depression. This includes the free Breathing Space telephone adviceline (open 6pm to 2am nightly; currently piloting extended hours to 6am at weekends).

In emergency situations the emergencyservices can be contacted on 999 for assistance, 24 hours a day.

Through Choose Life, suicideprevention training is being rolled out across Scotland; over 11,500 individualsin community and public service settings have been trained in suicide interventionand risk management skills in the last three years.

This information is publishedin tables 3 and 14 of the statistical bulletin Local authority housing incomeand expenditure 2004-05 to 2006-07. This is available online in the publicationssection of the housing statistics branch reference site:http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Housing-Regeneration/PubLAHousingIncomeExpend.

Funding for the previous administration’scommitment to reduce S1/S2 maths and English classes to a maximum of 20 is alreadyin place. We have no plans to reverse this commitment.

Data relating to teachersbeginning Chartered Teacher programmes is not held centrally.

Chartered Teacher programmesare modular in nature and were designed so that steady progress can lead tofull qualification in about six years. At the moment prior learning can also beaccredited and most of those completing the programme have taken advantage ofthis to some extent.

Based on information fromthe General Teaching Council for Scotland, the numbers achieving full Chartered Teacher statusin each year since inception of the programme in August 2003 is as shown in thefollowing table.

Year	Number
2003	0
2004	37
2005	113
2006	242