Together has responded to the Scottish Government’s consultation on updates to the 1967 School Premises Regulations. Together calls for Scottish Government to complete the ongoing Child Rights Impact Assessment, ensure amendments are in scope of the UNCRC Act, take an inclusive approach to play spaces, toilets and accessibility and to ensure a central role for children and young people in designing solutions.  

Together also supported the inclusion of wellbeing spaces in providing a safe environment for children with additional support needs as well as the whole school population to decompress and regulate. Together promotes the continued inclusion of children in the design and implementation of these spaces.  

The central concern with the proposals is that they fall outside of scope of the UNCRC Act and its accountability mechanisms since they amend a pre-devolution piece of legislation. The other issues highlighted include inclusivity of spaces such as toilets and washing facilities. Together recommends Scottish Government considers children whose rights are at risk, including disabled children, LGBTQ+ children and children with additional support needs who may be disproportionately affected by the proposals.  

Read Together's full response

Find our article on the consultation