SOCIAL JUSTICE IN SCOTLAND A discussion paper

Social Justice in Scotland

Social Justice in Scotland

Contents

Foreword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 The background: a false start for Christie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Our approach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Addiction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 The current situation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 Our view . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 Family breakdow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 The current situation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 Our view . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 Adoption and children in care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 The current situation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Our view . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 Reoffending . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 The current situation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 Our view . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 Mental health . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 The current situation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Our view . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 The attainment gap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 Current situation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 Our view . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

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Social Justice in Scotland

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Social Justice in Scotland Foreword Scotland is changing and the Scottish Parliament must change with it. New powers over welfare, taxation and spending require us to consider new ways to support those across our society who need the help of government. I want the Scottish Conservatives to be the torch bearers of social justice, with the ideas and passion to make real improvements across Scotland. While the work continues on how best to use these new powers, it is important to evaluate the current system, and what can already be enacted to make a positive difference. This short paper is designed to start a debate on how – in a time of tight public finances and increasing demand – we still ensure good services for the most vulnerable people in our society. It looks, specifically, at areas that are already devolved and sets out some initial thoughts on where we think progress can be made – and where things are going wrong. It comes five years after the landmark Christie Commission report, which backed a major change in the way we deliver services in Scotland. This report makes clear we have fallen far short of that vision. So, over the coming months, we will be talking to organisations and in