by Eva Comrie

I’M NO FAN of the Named Person policy - I’m a mother who would naturally, automatically, object to the collation of information about my child and will not run the risk of its getting into the wrong hands.

I’m also a lawyer specialising in family and child law - I’ve read thousands of pages of social work case notes, health reports, school reports, medical information, post mortem results; I’ve argued with Sheriffs on behalf of parents who wanted their children to come home and I’ve fought in courts and children’s hearings for children to remain in care, become fostered and adopted. Work has led me to question robustly and at length the actions of social workers and other professionals enjoined with decision making affecting the lifelong chances, opportunities and destinies of the children of Scotland. It’s not the first time I’ve sat long into the wee sma’ hours at my kitchen table poring over life histories with a tear in my eye and a heavy heart.