{"id":436,"date":"2024-09-23T10:27:39","date_gmt":"2024-09-23T10:27:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sl\/ballerupstaff\/?page_id=436"},"modified":"2025-08-19T10:48:12","modified_gmt":"2025-08-19T10:48:12","slug":"uncrc-the-rights-of-the-child","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sl\/ballerupstaff\/uncrc-the-rights-of-the-child\/","title":{"rendered":"UNCRC – The Rights of the Child"},"content":{"rendered":"

Children\u2019s Rights<\/h1>\n

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Rabbie Our Rights Coo at Ballerup\u00a0<\/strong><\/h1>\n

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https:\/www.canva.com\/design\/DAGwboMapjo\/lrJGC667mq8MMzQEAGifpQ\/view?utm_content=DAGwboMapjo&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=h8aa6d74b32<\/a><\/p>\n

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What is it?<\/h3>\n

In March 2021, the\u00a0United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC)<\/cite><\/a>\u00a0Bill became law in Scotland, meaning public bodies need to comply with all aspects of this new law.\u00a0 The national approach to supporting children, \u201cGetting It Right For Every Child,<\/a>\u201d was built upon the foundation of the UNCRC.<\/p>\n

The Scottish Government states,<\/p>\n

\u201cWe want to recognise, respect and promote children\u2019s rights.\u00a0 These include rights to be treated fairly, to be heard and to be as healthy as possible.\u00a0 Our vision is a Scotland where children\u2019s human rights are embedded in all aspects of society.\u00a0 A Scotland where policy, law and decision making takes account of children\u2019s rights and where all children have a voice and are empowered to be human rights defenders.\u00a0 Parents, local and national governments and organisations which work with children and families can help children experience their rights.\u00a0 We are taking steps to ensure that children enjoy their rights, as set out in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

(Human Rights: Children\u2019s Rights<\/a>, Scottish Government)<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Rights of the Child, Relationships, Responsive Care and Respect are the four key principles which form the basis of this guidance. All staff working with babies and young children should be aware that these key principles are interrelated and interdependent.\u00a0<\/cite><\/p>\n

Within the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) is the principle that children should be valued and respected at all levels and have the right to have their views heard and acted upon. This means that all adults and agencies should ensure when supporting babies and young children that their views are \u2018\u2026given due weight in accordance with the age and maturity of the child\u2019<\/cite>\u00a0(UN, 1989, Article 12).\u201d<\/cite><\/p>\n

(Pre-birth to Three: Positive Outcomes for Scotland\u2019s Children and Families<\/a>, Learning and Teaching Scotland, 2010, p. 19)<\/p>\n

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Key messages:<\/h3>\n
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  • An effective children\u2019s rights-based approach should be embedded in a setting\u2019s\u00a0vision, values and aims<\/a>, ethos, routines, and when implementing change.\u00a0 It should not be \u2018another thing to do\u2019 but already underpin the setting\u2019s pedagogy and be part of practice.<\/li>\n
  • Children\u2019s rights are unconditional.\u00a0 They must be respected but children do not have a responsibility to uphold the rights of others.<\/li>\n
  • Practitioners using consistent rights-based language helps children connect their rights, actions, and impact on those around them.<\/li>\n
  • Practitioners view and believe that children are active, capable and competent learners.<\/li>\n
  • All practitioners working with children have an essential role in ensuring that children\u2019s rights are modelled, safeguarded, and actively promoted.\u00a0 They follow\u00a0GIRFEC<\/a>\u00a0guidance, respecting, including, and\u00a0protecting children<\/a>\u00a0in their care, valuing their views and ideas.<\/li>\n
  • Opportunities to include children in planning for change and decision-making are embedded within the practice.<\/li>\n
  • The setting works closely with\u00a0parents<\/a>\u00a0and other\u00a0professionals<\/a>, recognising the vital contribution they have to make.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child contains 54 articles.\u00a0 The most relevant articles that concern children at Early Level include:<\/p>\n

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    • Article 12<\/strong>\u00a0(respect views of the child<\/em>):\u00a0 Every child has the right to express their views, feelings, and wishes in all matters affecting them and to have their views considered and taken seriously.<\/li>\n
    • Article 14<\/strong>\u00a0(freedom of thought, belief and religion<\/em>):\u00a0 Every child has the right to think and believe what they choose and practise their religion, as long as they are not stopping other people from enjoying their rights.<\/li>\n
    • Article 15<\/strong>\u00a0(freedom of association<\/em>):\u00a0 Every child has the right to meet with other children and to join groups and organisations, as long as this does not stop other people from enjoying their rights.<\/li>\n
    • Article 24<\/strong>\u00a0(health and health services<\/em>):\u00a0 Every child has the right to the best possible health.<\/li>\n
    • Article 28<\/strong>\u00a0(right to an education<\/em>):\u00a0 Every child has the right to an education.<\/li>\n
    • Article 31<\/strong>\u00a0(leisure, play and culture<\/em>):\u00a0 Every child has the right to rest, relax, play, and participate in cultural and creative activities.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      The UNCRC articles can be read\u00a0in full<\/a>\u00a0here or in the\u00a0child-friendly version<\/a>.<\/p>\n