Let’s Explore Oor Richts, our new illustrated book in Scots on human rights for very young children. The book was published earlier this year and we are delighted that we now have a Scots edition. All children should be able to access information about their rights in their own language and this book will help teachers to have those first conversations – in Scots – about human rights with young children.
Your Rights, Our Plan
Engaging the voices of children and young people is at the core of our mission for the next four years. Introducing ‘Your Rights, Our Plan,’ a comprehensive resource pack designed to empower adults in guiding children and young people through vital discussions about our work. Packed with videos, PowerPoints, and a survey, this resource facilitates conversations around six key questions, shaping the roadmap for Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland Nicola Killean’s Strategic Plan.
Coimhead air ar Còraichean (Let’s Explore Our Rights)
The book, beautifully illustrated by Corinna Campbell and available in both Gaelic and English, takes young children on a journey to discover rights such as having a safe home, the right to be healthy, to learn, and to play. An audio and video version of the book has been recorded by Mirabelle, a 10-year-old pupil from Bun-sgoil Taobh na Pàirce P6. She mentioned that it was fun to read the book and appreciated that it is available in both Gaelic and English. Commissioner Nicola Killean emphasized that “Let’s Explore Our Rights” explains to very young children the importance of rights in a way they can understand.
‘Sometimes I feel like I am in prison’: Placing Children in Hotel-Type Accommodation.
This report highlights the troubling use of hotel-type accommodations for children in asylum and homelessness systems, in conflict with established human rights principles. Such environments can pose severe risks and long-term harm to children’s well-being and rights. Unfortunately, the practice persists due to legal and systemic pressures. This report aims to aid decision-makers and frontline practitioners by providing a comprehensive human rights framework and evidence-based insights to reduce the reliance on such accommodations and mitigate their negative impact.
We also have a short report for children and young people.
Children (Care and Justice) (Scotland) Bill
We submitted supplementary evidence to the Education, Children & Young People Committee in October 2023. This evidence supplements our previous written evidence to the Education, Children & Young People Committee
Proposed Restraint and Seclusion (Prevention in Schools) (Scotland) Bill
We have responded to Daniel Johnson MSP’s bill consultation. Our response draws on our previous work, including our investigation into restraint and seclusion in schools No Safe Place, and emphasises
Annual Report 2022-23
Bruce Adamson, in his final report before stepping down as Commissioner, expresses pride in the achievements of the past year and looks with positivity to future years for the office’s work with incoming Commissioner, Nicola Killean.
Children (Care and Justice)(Scotland) Bill
Stage 1 briefing Our office has issued a briefing to MSPs ahead of the Stage 1 debate on the above bill on 22 June 2023. We support the general principles
Illegal Migration Bill: House of Lords briefing
This briefing focuses on aspects of the UK’s Illegal Migration Bill which impact on areas of devolved competence, particularly its disapplication of existing Scottish public authority duties in Scotland owed to children in vulnerable circumstances (particularly unaccompanied children).
Children (Care & Justice) (Scotland) Bill
We submitted written evidence to the Education, Children and Young People Commitee at Stage 1 of Parliament’s consideration of this bill. Introduction This bill provides a key opportunity for