Changes to provide more support for young people in care commences

Date: 1st April 2015
Category: Care Experienced children

Extra support and strengthened rights for children and young people in care which were introduced in the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 came into effect in Scotland on 1st April 2015.

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Government supports Bill to ban smoking in cars with children on board

Date: 25th March 2015
Category: Health and health services

The Scottish Government has announced its commitment to protect more children from the effects of second-hand smoke by prohibiting smoking in cars with children on board.

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Joint Committee on Human Rights publishes report on UK compliance with UNCRC

Date: 24th March 2015
Category: Reporting to and monitoring the UNCRC

UK Joint Committee states it would like to see the UNCRC incorporated into UK law, in a report following a short inquiry into compliance with the Convention.

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Together supports statement at Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Review debate

Date: 20th March 2015
Category: Universal Periodic Review (UPR)

On Friday 20th March 2015, a group of 47 NGOs including Together supported a statement led by UPR info during the UN Human Rights Council 28th session, to call on States to focus on the quality of UPR recommendations, not their quantity.

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UK benefits cap is lawful but breaches UN children’s rights obligations

Date: 18th March 2015
Category: Best interests of the child, Family Environment and Alternative Care, Child poverty

The UK Supreme Court rules that the UK Government's £500-a-week cap on benefits is lawful but incompatible with UK obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

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Scottish Government publishes response to consultation on Carers legislation

Date: 17th March 2015
Category: Young carers

This consultation took place between 22 January and 16 April 2014 and set out the proposals to improve outcomes for carers and young carers across Scotland, and this response analyses the responses received and sets out conclusions and next steps.

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National Inquiry into Historical Child Abuse

Date: 17th March 2015
Category: Children in situations of exploitation

The Scottish Government is currently engaging with survivors and relevant organisations to seek views on the Terms of Reference of the National Inquiry into Historical Child Abuse, as well as the attributes of the Chair and Panel.

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More work needed to protect children’s rights in Scotland, Commission tells UN

Date: 12th March 2015
Category: General measures of implementation

During the UN Human Rights Council annual day of discussion on 12th March 2015 which focused on "better investment in the rights of the child", SHRC delivered a statement highlighting that more work is needed to protect the human rights of children in Scotland.

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Together submits evidence to inquiry on UK compliance with UNCRC

Date: 11th March 2015
Category: Scotland-specific monitoring and reporting

Together has highlighted the impact of reserved powers on children's rights in Scotland, as part of the UK Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights inquiry.

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How the Support for Children (Impact of Parental Imprisonment) Bill could help enhance the rights of children with a parent in prison

Date: 11th March 2015
Category: Children of prisoners

An informative new article on Together's blog written by Nicki Wray (Barnardo's Scotland) highlights the vulnerabilities of children affected by parental imprisonment and how a new Bill has the potential to enhance and further their rights.

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