I welcome everyone to the 24th meeting in 2017 of the Education and Skills Committee. I remind everyone present to turn their mobile phones and other devices to silent for the duration of the meeting.
Tavish Scott will join us, but he will be a few minutes late. Daniel Johnson has given his apologies, as he is unwell.
The first item of business is an evidence session on the Children and Young People (Information Sharing) (Scotland) Bill. This is the third meeting at which we will consider the bill; we have already heard from the Scottish Government’s bill team, members of the legal profession and the national health service. This morning’s panel will focus on services that local authorities provide, including education and social work.
I welcome Dr Gary Clapton, who is senior lecturer in social work in the school of social and political science at the University of Edinburgh; Andrew Keir, who is getting it right for every child manager at North Ayrshire health and social care partnership; Jackie Niccolls, who is a team leader for social work services at Glasgow City health and social care partnership; and Jenni Brown, who is principal teacher of pupil support at Dumfries and Galloway Council education services.
If the witnesses would like to respond to a question, they should indicate that to me or to the clerk, please, and I will call them to speak. Ross Greer will open the questioning.