Ensuring that all Council staff are aware of their responsibility to uphold Children’s Rights and the duties in the UNCRC Incorporation Act is a key issue being progressed by the Working Group. The working Group consists of staff reps from all Council directorates.

Summarised information ’10 things you need to know about UNCRC’ was issued to school and ELC based staff at the start of term and staff were also encouraged to attend the online session on UNCRC for education staff hosted by Education Scotland. Most schools and ELCs have already gained or are working towards Rights Respecting Schools accreditation supported by a PT for Inclusion.

Updates and information on UNCRC implementation has been posted on the Connect staff intranet and highlighted in the weekly staff update.

Staff and Elected Member learning sessions have also been posted on Clacks Academy –

• Understanding Children’s Human Rights – an e-learning package from the Improvement Service
• Introduction to Children’s Rights for Elected Members – also from the Improvement Service
• Children’s Rights – Resources and Practical Tips – an e-learning package from the Children’s Parliament

Services are now considering what further awareness raising activities they need such as Toolbox Talks, Readiness Audit and posters and leaflets that can be developed for parents and pupils.

The views of children and young people is at the heart of our practice in Clackmannanshire Council. We have an established framework that regularly provides opportunities for children and young people to be involved and influence decision making within the Authority. Our framework mirrors the principles of the UNCRC and empowers youth voice through the use of the Youth Charter.

Supported by The Children’s Parliament children and young people from our primary and secondary establishments meet with Council representatives to share their views on priorities that matter to them and feed into discussion on Authority priorities. Participants co-create the agenda and a Google Classroom has been set up to share feedback to individual establishments youth voice structures.

This term we have extended participation to young people from St. Modan’s, Stirling who live in the catchment and targeted meetings to invite external partners to engage with discussions e.g., Planet Youth, Rotary Club and Women’s Aid.  There are also plans to widen participation to ELC and ASN children and young people. It is important the views of all are included in discussions and decisions.

Youth Voice is now embedded in the Authority with children and young people being consulted on policy and budgeting decisions, and scoping papers for new projects.