Death of Named Persons, so why are they still snooping?
NHS and councils press ahead with schemes
AN army of ‘state snoopers’ will continue to monitor children in parts of Scotland – despite the controversial Named Person scheme being scrapped.
Education Secretary John Swinney admitted on Wednesday that the policy of appointing a state guardian for every child cannot be reworked so that it would no longer breach youngster’s human rights.
But there are already 3,000 Named Persons operating under councils and health boards.
The Scottish Mail on Sunday contacted all public bodies which run a Named Person scheme.
Some said they were reviewing their policies. Others insisted their initiatives were legal and would continue, despite concerns of parents and campaigners.
None promised an immediate halt or to order an independent inquiry into how information is shared. This will infuriate campaigners who won a legal ruling against the Scottish Government at the Supreme Court in 2016.
Judges ruled Named Person breached children’s right to privacy by allowing teachers, doctors, policy and social workers to share their personal information without consent.
Simon Calvert, of the No to Named Persons campaign group, said: ‘The schemes running now are legally toothless. I’m sure there are sensible people who have been given the title Named Person who are operating within the law and only giving help where it’s wanted and needed.
‘But the name and the concept has become so toxic that councils should ditch the idea and focus instead on providing families with the help they want.’
Scottish Tory chief whip Maurice Golden said: ‘NHS and council policies are now in tatters because of the SNP.
‘This unworkable and flawed scheme should never have been forced on them. John Swinney must act swiftly to pick up the pieces and apologise for failing to listen to advice from experts.’
It is not clear what right to information is afforded to the existing Named Persons, with some schemes pre-dating the Scottish Government’s policy, which was launched in 2013.
Mr Swinney has admitted he will have to issue new guidance.
North Lanarkshire health and social care partnership and South Lanarkshire, Western Isles, Moray and Aberdeen councils all said they were reviewing their Named Person policies or seeking legal advice.
Other authorities said they would continue unaffected, including NHS Ayrshire and Arran and NHS Tayside, and West Dunbartonshire and Perth and Kinross councils.
The Scottish Government has promised new guidance on how the schemes should be operated by local authorities.
A spokeswoman said: ‘Named Person services, run by councils and health boards, are provided to families on a voluntary basis and will continue.
‘All such services which councils and health boards deliver must be undertaken within existing law.’
‘The name and the concept is toxic’