Much of the analysis of social policy in Scotland and Wales has been dominated by the identification of flagship policies. The term ‘flagship’ tends to cover a number of different policy characteristics:

• • innovative, as policies that have not existed previously in the UK, at least in key respects, for example, children's commissioners;

• • distinctive as universal provision or in not having been universally provided in recent times in the UK, for example, free personal and nursing care in Scotland;

• • unique to Scotland or Wales or Northern Ireland, for example,Welsh voluntary sector scheme;

• • self-identified as flagship policies by the devolved governments, for example, student fees in Scotland and Wales.

It is possible to consider examples of social policies in each of the four categories, describe their characteristics and discuss their formulation and operation.

Innovative policies that had not previously existed

‘Innovative policies’ refers to policies which are largely new and original in the UK. Such innovative policies have normally required new legislation and/or setting up new institutions.

Children's commissioners

The innovative policy of a children's commissioner was initiated in Wales, where it came into operation in 2002. This followed a report by the Welsh Assembly Health and Social Services Committee, and was influenced by the recommendations of a tribunal of inquiry into the abuse of children in residential homes in North Wales. There was therefore a strong focus on the oversight of services for children. The initial rationale for the policy was also based on the need for a complaints system, an advocacy body and as a means to introduce and promote the United Nations (UN) Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). The policy of appointing a children's commissioner was followed by Northern Ireland in 2003, and Scotland and eventually England as well in 2005 (see also Chapter Six).

The Scottish Executive had actually raised the issue in 2000, but it was 2002 before the Scottish Parliament's Education, Culture and Sport Committee made proposals for a bill.

In Northern Ireland legislation to establish a commissioner was one of the few innovative pieces of legislation introduced in the first period of devolution.

The overall aims and objectives of the three devolved commissioners were somewhat similar: to safeguard and promote the rights of children and to review the adequacy of policy and the delivery of services to children.