Issues and impact of the Named Person Legislation in Scotland

This chapter concerns the new Named Person Service in Scotland. For school-age children the Named Person will be a teacher and their role will be to advise, inform and support the child, young person or their parent, to help them access services or support or discuss or raise a matter about the child/young person with a service or relevant authority. The Named Person Service is an example of systemic, and potentially transformational, change in which teachers and principals play a key part. When in force school principals will be responsible for: protecting children’s welfare and well-being; (trans)forming ever closer working relationships with other agencies and practitioners; keeping parents and families informed about the Named Person Service; adhering to information-sharing legislation and guidance; and involving children in decisions that significantly affect their lives.