Children in police custody-implementing the Children (Care and Justice) (Scotland) Act 2024
Thu 5 Mar 2026 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM GMT Online, Teams
Summary:
The provisions of the Children (Care and Justice) (Scotland) Act in respect of children in police custody will commence on 30 March 2026. These provisions will remove the existing distinction between the treatment of younger and older children in police custody, instead aligning with UNCRC and GIRFEC to define a child as anyone under the age of 18. In this webinar, the changes the Act will bring and their practice implications will be explored. The preparatory work Police Scotland have been undertaking to prepare for these changes will be outlined, with an opportunity for participants questions.
Bios:
Debbie Nolan is a Practice Development Advisor for CYCJ. Her current role at CYCJ is to lead our support to stakeholders in preparing for commencement and implementation of the Act in practice.
Sergeant Clare Gemmell has 16 years police service during which she has worked in a variety of roles as a police constable and as a police sergeant. She started her career in 2009 at London Road police office where she worked in response and community policing, during which she was seconded to several different pro-active units. In 2015 she applied for a public protection role which primarily dealt with online sexual crimes against children. She started her aide within the Greater Glasgow rape investigation unit in 2017, before moving to the CID in Shettleston. In 2019 she applied for the national policy support role where she remained for a short time before being promoted to sergeant in 2020. Since being promoted she has been working within the criminal justice division where she has worked as a custody sergeant, support sergeant and since 2024 she has worked within CJSD policy.
Both are members of the Children in Police Custody group, established under the Youth Justice Improvement Board.
Important Info:
This webinar will be recorded and shared on the CYCJ website. Cameras and mics will be switched off to all attendees, only the speakers and organisers of the event will have their cameras on.
All registered attendees will be contacted with team's link 24 hours before each session. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact cycj@strath.ac.uk.
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