Children and young people in Inverclyde hosted a conference to let parents and professionals know what they expect from new legislation on the rights of the child.
Pupils from St Columba’s High School in Gourock and its associated primary schools and nurseries – St Andrew’s; St Joseph’s, St Ninian’s, Bluebird Child and Family Centre, Binnie Street Children’s Centre and Larkfield Children’s Centre – decided to showcase their knowledge and experience of children’s right by holding the event around the Children & Young People (Scotland) Bill.
Education & Communities Vice Convener Councillor Martin Brennan said: “Over the past few years St Columba’s and the other schools have worked together to promote the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, actively encouraging all children and young people to develop their talents and to become active contributors to their own learning. This is their opportunity – through a series of workshops and presentations – to educate their parents, carers and professionals about how the new law might impact on them.”
St Columba’s and all of its associated primaries are UNICEF Rights Respecting Schools – a UK-wide initiative for all children and those working with or for children in formal education. The award recognises achievement in putting the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child at the heart of a school’s planning, policies, practice and ethos.
A rights-respecting school not only teaches about children’s rights but also models rights and respect in all its relationships – between teachers/adults and pupils, between adults and between pupils.
Councillor Brennan added: “Part of the commitment is to share knowledge of rights; to promote good practice and to promote the convention. It is vital that when we make decisions that affect our children’s future we have an understanding of their point of view.”
The Children & Young People (Scotland) Bill received Royal Assent on 27 March 2014 and will become The Children & Young People (Scotland) Act 2014.
Implications include:
Children’s Rights: Scottish Ministers will need to consider children’s rights when making policy decisions and report every three years on what they have been doing to encourage and support the UNCRC. Local government will also be required to develop children’s services plans every three years, report on what they are doing in relation to children’s rights and actively listen to children and young people.
Early years: Increasing the hours and flexibility of early years care.
Looked after Children: Additional support for looked after and accommodated children and extending the age of leaving care.
