UNCRC Act reporting duty – new bodies to be added

Date: 7th September 2026
Category: Reporting to and monitoring the UNCRC

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Together recently responded to a Scottish Government call for views on updating the list of authorities required to report under section 19 of the UNCRC (Incorporation) (Scotland) Act.

The Act requires listed authorities to report every three years on the actions they have already taken – or have planned – to further embed children’s rights. The Scottish Government has the power to update the list of organisations and, before doing so, they have a duty to consult with relevant stakeholders.

Scottish Government sought our views on removing the Scottish Qualifications Authority and replacing this with Qualifications Scotland. It also asked our views on adding His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education in Scotland to the list.  Our response welcomed these changes as necessary updates. Scottish Government is expected to bring forward secondary legislation to make these changes in due course.

We also encouraged Scottish Government to consider extending the list further to include other bodies whose decisions impact on children’s rights – such as the Scottish Prison Service. We also raised wider questions about how existing listed authorities are implementing their duties in practice. Our response emphasised the importance of transparent reporting and robust accountability mechanisms to help ensure that children’s rights are fully embedded.

Read Together’s response on updates to section 19 UNCRC Act.