Scottish Catholic Observer

A WEBSITE that has been designed to educate children about Scotland’s controversial Named Person scheme has been described as ‘blatant propaganda’ by critics.

The Scottish Government website, www.wellbeingforyoungscots.org, which cost taxpayers £18,000, aims to convince children that state guardians, set to be brought in under the scheme for every child in Scotland, will be their ‘friends.’

Criticism

The Named Person scheme is part of the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014, which has been criticised by the Church and is facing a legal challenge from opponents who say it contravenes the European Convention on Human Rights

A spokesman for the No To Named Person (NO2NP) campaign said the website ‘is an astonishing example of blatant propaganda by a Scottish

Government intent on stripping the rights and responsibilities of mums and dads for their children.’

“According to this disturbing website, these apparently superhuman Named Persons can remedy almost any problem put in the way of ordinary people,” he continued. “They can save families from desolation after divorce and even help get dads to kick alcohol—according to this website which is filled with laughable fairy tales.”

Role of parents

On one part of the site, a named person is described as a ‘kind, elderly lady with rosy cheeks and a permanent smile.’ On another, children are reassured: “Most likely you won’t notice anything different at school. You’ll only get help from your named person if there are concerns about your wellbeing.”

John Deighan, parliamentary officer of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland said although the intention behind this law may be good, it can easily backfire.

“People are very trusting of state authority sometimes, but I know a lot of people who have been on the wrong end of government power who find this law is quite frightening,” he said

Archbishop’s concerns

Earlier this year Archbishop Leo Cushley of St Andrews and Edinburgh said that the ‘Bishops’ Conference of Scotland is fully committed to ensuring the wellbeing of children,’ but that this legislation was questionable.

“We endorse attempts to ensure that excellent services are available to all children who require them and have shown this commitment in implementing rigorous safeguarding policies and collaborating with the GIRFEC model of child wellbeing,” he said. “The common good of society depends on the stability of family life. The state must respect subsidiarity and should support, but not interfere in the internal life of the family.”

Defence of legislation

Scottish Government Children’s Minister Aileen Campbell has defended the legislation and said the policy would be rolled out across the country as planned in 2016.

She argued it would stop vulnerable children slipping through the net and give families ‘somewhere to go if they need an extra bit of help.’

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—Read the full version of this story in October 31 edition of the SCO in parishes from Friday.