Restraint Bill passes at Stage 3

Date: 9th April 2026
Category: Child justice system, Protection from abuse or neglect, Harmful practices, General measures of implementation

Stage 3 proceedings for the Restraint and Seclusion in Schools (Scotland) Bill concluded on 24 March 2026. Brought forward by Daniel Johnson MSP, the Bill seeks to create statutory guidance and duties relating to the use of restraint and seclusion in educational settings, protecting children and teachers alike from the negative impacts that can arise from the unnecessary, inappropriate, and unlawful use of such tactics.

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First civil legal decision under the UNCRC (Incorporation) (Scotland) Act 2024

Date: 9th April 2026
Category: Scotland-specific monitoring and reporting

Clan Childlaw suc cessfully supported a brother to claim h is rights in the case . The Court of Session ruled that a Children’s Hearing failed to consider the best interests of a sibling affected by its decision, as required by Article 3 of the UNCRC. The judgment confirms that hearings must treat the welfare of all impacted children as a primary consideration and clearly record how those rights were taken into account.

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Vulnerability should not eclipse agency: perspectives from Together

Date: 9th April 2026
Category: Respect for the views of the child, Best interests of the child, Children in armed forces families

A new Forces Children Scotland blog, highlights concerns that children labelled as ‘ vulnerable’ are too often excluded from decisions about their own lives and calls on practitioners to balance protection with genuine participation.

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Together responds to School Premises Regulations consultation

Date: 9th April 2026
Category: Family Environment and Alternative Care, General measures of implementation

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 ce ntral role for children and young people in designing solutions.

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Promise Bill passes at Stage 3

Date: 9th April 2026
Category: General measures of implementation, Care Experienced children

The Children (Care, Care Experience and Services Planning) (Scotland) Bill was passed on 1 9 th Mar ch 2026.

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Children's Rights Manifesto 2026

Date: 26th March 2026
Category: General measures of implementation

It is intended as a resource for political parties, candidates and policy makers to ensure that children’s rights are at the heart of the next Scottish Parliament.

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Next steps for online safety in the UK: 5Rights sets the criteria for legislative action

Date: 26th February 2026
Category: General measures of implementation, Access to appropriate information

The 5Rights Foundation has set out key criteria it says must shape the next phase of online safety legislation as UK Parliament prepares to debate tougher protections for children online. In its Next steps for online safety in the UK briefing, 5Rights urges policymakers to go beyond age-based platform bans.

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Use of stop and search - revised Code of Practice

Date: 26th February 2026
Category: Child justice system, General measures of implementation, Best interests of the child

Closing Date: 5 th May 2026

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Funding available for rent in advance, deposits, ID and removal costs

Date: 26th February 2026
Category: Funding, Child poverty

As part of their work to end homelessness, St Martin-in-the-Fields Charity offers the VRF: fast emergency grants to help people who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of becoming homeless.

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Report: conditioning power: devolved law-making after the Supreme Court’s s.28(7) rulings

Date: 26th February 2026
Category: General measures of implementation

This new report, written by legal and policy experts from England, Scotland and Wales, suggests recent decisions by the UK Supreme Court have introduced new and unexpected constraints on devolved law-making.

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