Childrens Rights
The expression "child law" has no specific legal meaning in Scotland, but can reasonably be interpreted to mean those aspects of our legal system which relate to the rights and obligations of children and those with the care of children. Naturally, aspects of child law can be found in other areas, such as matrimonial, access and custody (now called "contact" and "residence", respectively), criminal, education and property. Essentially, any part of our legal system affecting children can be described as "child law". Anyone who has any dealings with children can and most probably will be affected by child law.
For example, a parent who does not ensure that his or her child attends school can be prosecuted in the criminal courts; a child who is failing to thrive can be referred to the Chirden's Hearing System ("The Children's Panel"), which has wide ranging powers, including the power to remove the child from his or her family; a child who is causing concern at school or in the local community can be made the subject of an antisocial behaviour order, or his or her parents can be made subject to a Parenting Order; a family facing homelessness is afforded great protections if that family includes children under the age of 16; and children with special needs can have those needs "recorded" if that is necessary to make sure that those needs are met at school.
This is an extremely broad and rapidly changing area of law, and if advice or representation is needed, then it is best sought from someone with the experience and skills needed to provide the proper advice and protections.
LSA (North Glasgow Advice Centre only) can offer advice, help and, where appropriate, representation in relation to:-
The Children's Hearing System
Referrals to the Sheriff Court
Parenting Orders
Antisocial Behaviour Orders (ASBOs)
Education matters
Adoption
Acceptable Behaviour Contracts
Child Protection Orders
Child Assessment Orders
Safeguarders
Legal Representatives
Curators