I want to give children and young people information about things that affect them in a way they find easy to understand

Informed

1) How to write a child friendly document

Save the Children

This nine page document is designed to support organisations to develop child friendly information with a helpful four stage process.

2) Creating Child Friendly Versions of Written Documents: A Guide

Directorate-General for Justice and Consumers (European Commission), Michelle Templeton and Laura Lundy

A 28 pdf guide to creating child friendly documents, useful for individuals who want to make information more accessible. Very visual and well-spaced.

3) Children and Young People’s National Participation Standards

Welsh Government

Welsh Government infographic explaining Children and Young People’s National Participation Standards. It includes what children can expect in relation to information, their choice to participate, fair treatment, respect for their views, the benefits for them, that they will get feedback and that services will be improved. Useful for workers trying to make something similar for their organisation.

Skilled

Here we have shared examples of child friendly documents and websites.

1) Scotland's 'to do' list How well are we respecting children's rights?

Together (Scottish Alliance for Children's Rights)

A child friendly guide to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child's 2023 Concluding Observations for the UK which explains Scotland's to do list to get children's rights on track. Useful for anyone in the public sector or civil society who wants to make sure children's rights are respected, protected and fulfilled.

2) Your Rights - Reach

Scottish Advice Service for Additional Support for Learning

An online resource with information about children's rights for children and young people. Useful for individuals looking to support children and young people's understanding of their rights.

3) Rights and Relationships Based Approach

Children's Parliament

This resource outlines the principles of a rights-based community, home and school, acknowledging children’s rights to participation, and providing appropriate opportunities for their contributions, valuing their presence, ensuring access to safe services, and upholding dignity. This would be useful for individuals working directly with children, parents and caregivers.

4) Know your rights: Child Rights Education Core Materials

UNICEF UK

A website with a downloadable workbook and teachers pack contains a series of materials to help children learn about rights. The pack is aimed at children aged 11 to 12, but with minor adaptions could be used with younger or older age groups. Useful for teachers.

5) Young People’s Rights in Health

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services

A resource on the Dumfries and Galloway Health and Social Care website detailing children's rights in a health context, with information about advocacy and being sectioned. Useful for individuals working in a health context to support children and young people or others who wish to see an example of a website developed to provide child friendly information.

6) Knowing Your Rights: Secure Care

Families Outside

A four page pdf informing children and young people in secure care about their right to have sibling contact, including places to go for further support. A useful example of child friendly information.

Enhanced

1) Creating child friendly communication and events

Directorate-General for Justice and Consumers (European Commission), Michelle Templeton and Laura Lundy

An eight page guide to child friendly communication at events. The aim should be to create an atmosphere in which children feel comfortable, respected and valued, and that they belong. This offers some guidance on how you might do this in a safe, interactive and friendly way.

2) Inclusive communication resources

Disability Equality Scotland

Website with a resource hub of resources written by individuals, organisations and groups across Scotland working to improve Inclusive Communications. Useful for individuals looking to create more accessible resources.

3) Guidance on taking a children's human rights approach

Scottish Government

Section 4.3.1 of this guidance covers inclusive communication.

This is a Scottish Government-funded project. This webpage, and the linked resources within it have not been produced by the Scottish Government and so the Scottish Government cannot guarantee their quality or accuracy. Nothing on this webpage and in its linked resources is intended to constitute legal advice. Readers should seek their own independent legal advice with respect to any legal matter.