Report published on participation of children and young people in Scotland

Date: 27th February 2018
Category: Respect for the views of the child

A report, commissioned by the Scottish Government, which aims to explore the impact of children and people's participation on national and local policy making in Scotland has been published by Children in Scotland.

The report, entitled 'The Impact of Children and Young People's Participation on Policy Making', uses six case studies to assess children and young people's engagement across a variety of policy areas. These case studies are:

• The Equally Safe Delivery Plan
• The Scottish National Action Plan on Human Rights (SNAP) Innovation Project in Perth and Kinross
• Proposed powers to stop and search children and young people for alcohol
• Renfrewshire's Champions' Board
• The UNCRC reporting process
• Young Edinburgh Action work with young people on Better Sex Education.

The report found that the views of children and young people have influenced policy across the country. However, it also highlighted the shortcomings of the participation work which was undertaken, namely the lack of involvement of younger children and those from marginalised groups, and the need for children and young people to be able to talk directly to decision makers about issues which affect them.

• Read the full report here.