The Scottish Government legislative programme for 2011/12 contains some other items of relevance to community development. The Self Directed Support Bill will introduce “a ten-year programme of reform to give greater control and responsibility to people using support services. It will also require local authorities to ensure that services are set up in ways that suit users, rather than being convenient for service providers”.

Consultation has already begun on the Rights of Children and Young People Bill. This will require the Government to take account of the UN Convention of the Rights of the Child when developing all policies and legislation in order to recognise, respect, and promote children’s rights. Responses can be submitted until 1 December 2011. This is presented as part of “ambitious plans for legislation and policy development that will force a major shift in services for children and young people. The focus will be on a new approach, based on:

• prevention
• appropriate early intervention
• child-centred service delivery
• support for parents to build their confidence and capacity,

with a Children’s Services Bill planned for 2013.