State of Children's Rights Report 2026

We are delighted to share with you our new State of Children’s Rights Report 2026. This year’s report is dedicated to exploring how organisations across Scotland are taking forward a children’s human rights approach in their work, in the hope of sharing learning and ideas. Structured around the five principles of a children’s human rights approach – embedding, equality and non-discrimination, empowerment, participation and accountability – the report is a practical resource to help Scotland’s workforce ensure they respect, protect and fulfil children’s rights.

[image description: Together's five icons to represent the 5 principles of a children's human rights approach connected in a circle. Graphic]

Link to report here!

Annual Report 2024-25: Reflecting on a year of progress

We are pleased to share our Annual Report 2024-25, which highlights a year of significant developments in the promotion and protection of the human rights of babies, children and young people across Scotland.

Introducing our annual report, our Chair, Susan Hunter, says:

“This year has felt like a turning point for children’s rights in Scotland. With the UNCRC (Incorporation) (Scotland) Act 2024 finally coming into force in July, Together has moved from years of campaigning to the practical work of making rights a reality.”

[Image description: a screenshot of annual report. An icon with train tracks and Rights Express train].

Annual Report 2024-25

Children's Rights Skills and Knowledge Framework

We're delighted that the Children's Rights Skills and Knowledge Framework is now available.

The Framework provides access to resources and training on children’s rights and on taking a children’s human rights approach.

The resources can be used across a wide range of sectors, giving users an enhanced understanding of how they can respect, protect and fulfil children’s rights.  

[Image description: The project logo of a child underneath a rainbow that says 'Happy, Healthy, Safe']

https://www.togetherscotland.org.uk/framework/

Get involved!

If you're passionate about children's rights in Scotland, there are a number of ways you can get involved in the work of Together:

Become a Together member
Sign up to our e-newsletter
Follow us on social media
Donate to Together

[Image description: three children on the floor writing on a piece of paper. One child written fully "My Rights" in capital letters. Surrounding them is ABC blocks and stationery.]

Visit our 'Get Involved Page'!

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Latest News & Events

26th February 2026 — General measures of implementation
State of Children’s Rights Report 2026

News just dropped for anyone passionate about children's human rights! We are delighted to share with you our new State of Children’s Rights Report 2026. This year’s State of Children’s Rights Report is dedicated to exploring case studies of organisations across Scotland taking forward aspects of a children’s human rights approach in their work, in the hope of sharing learning and ideas.

23rd February 2026 — General measures of implementation

New UNCRC Tribunal Rules Laid

The instruments follow judicial review proceedings raised in May 2025 by the Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland (CYPCS) against Scottish Ministers concerning the absence of tribunal rules to ensure UNCRC compatibility questions could be formally notified. Following a procedural hearing, Ministers committed to draft, consult on and lay the necessary rules within a specified timetable, and the present instruments arise from that process.

19th February 2026 — General measures of implementation

Religious Observance and UNCRC Amendment Bill: Passed at Stage 3

The Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education and Amendment of UNCRC Compatibility Duty) (Scotland) Bill was passed by the Scottish Parliament at Stage 3 on 17 February 2026. The Bill covers two main areas: changes to the law on religious observance in schools, and amendments to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) (Scotland) Act 2024 that intend to clarify how that Act operates.

16th February 2026 — Child poverty

Child maintenance – sign the open letter

Across the UK, too many children in separated families are missing out on the financial support they need, and the system designed to help them is falling short. One Parent Families Scotland, Fife Gingerbread and IPPR Scotland present their recommendations for a system that is fairer, safer and easier to navigate for all separated families.

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