Date: 10th December 2020
Category: Incorporation, Budgeting

Together was joined over summer 2020 by Sara Helgesson, an LLM Human Rights candidate at the University of Edinburgh. Sara spent three months completing a research placement on child rights-based budgeting. Today, we are delighted to publish her dissertation which presents her findings.

Date: 10th December 2020
Category: COVID-19, Disability, Basic Health and Welfare

This is the fourth evidence summary on the impact of COVID-19 on the wellbeing of children and families in Scotland. The summary focuses upon newer Scottish studies relating to children and families living in poverty; black and minority ethnic young people; and families impacted by disability. It draws on wider UK research where necessary.

Date: 10th December 2020
Category: Other human rights treaties and mechanisms, Reporting to and monitoring the UNCRC

The review considers the effectiveness of the UN human rights treaty body system and makes recommendations on how the system could be further strengthened and enhanced.

Date: 10th December 2020
Category: Other human rights treaties and mechanisms, Non-discrimination, Right to life, survival and development, Respect for the views of the child

The European Court of Human Rights has ordered 33 European governments to respond to a landmark climate action lodged by six youth campaigners.

Date: 10th December 2020
Category: Reporting to and monitoring the UNCRC

The report is part of the monitoring of the UK Government’s implementation of rights set out in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. The report looks at the state of children’s rights and makes recommendations for change.

Date: 9th December 2020
Category: Incorporation

Together’s Director, Juliet Harris, delivered Stage 1 evidence to the Equalities and Human Rights Committee, alongside members Who Cares? Scotland, YouthLink Scotland, SCLD and Scottish Youth Parliament.

Date: 9th December 2020
Category: Child rights impact assessments

On 16th November, the Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland (CYPCS) hosted a Europe-wide conference, gathering 43 children and young people’s commissioners from 34 European UN Member States, and young advisers from 12 countries. The annual ENOC conference focuses on topics affecting children and young people’s human rights across Europe.

Date: 9th December 2020
Category: Education, including vocational education, COVID-19, Recreation, play and cultural activities

This autumn, Connect ran a survey asking parents and carers how being back at school or in nursery was going. It received 527 responses from across 29 local authorities.

Date: 9th December 2020
Category: Disabled children, Mental health, Health and health services, Social security

The report includes evidence, analysis and recommendations to improve social care in Scotland following COVID-19.

Date: 9th December 2020
Category: Disability, Basic Health and Welfare

MSPs unanimously voted to pass the Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Bill, making Scotland the first country in the world to make it a legal right to access free period products.

Date: 9th December 2020
Category: Disability, Basic Health and Welfare, Civil Rights and Freedoms, Education, Leisure and Cultural Activities

Over 500 girls and young women aged seven to 21 took part and shared the challenges they face. The results have been analysed against findings from a similar 2018 survey, to compare what progress has been made and what issues remain.

Date: 9th December 2020
Category: Incorporation, Awareness-raising

Children’s Parliament has launched the Year of Childhood 2021 to celebrate the forthcoming incorporation of the UNCRC into Scots law and the organisation’s 25th birthday.

Date: 9th December 2020
Category: Special protection measures, Freedom of thought, conscience and religion

The Strategy focuses on ensuring children and young people feel able to speak openly and honestly in children’s hearings, that their views are given real weight in the decision-making process and that they feel empowered and have ownership of their rights.

Date: 9th December 2020
Category: Civil Rights and Freedoms

A joint blog has been published to raise awareness of the increasing number of children on remand in Scotland.  It advocates for the development of alternative provisions to remand, if Scotland is to fulfil its international human rights obligations.

Date: 9th December 2020
Category: Civil Rights and Freedoms

Section 122 of the Children’s Hearings (Scotland) Act 2011 came into force on Saturday 21st November 2020. This activated duties on chairing members of Children’s Hearings to inform children of the availability of children’s advocacy services.  

Date: 9th December 2020
Category: Refugee , migrant and asylum-seeking children, Disability, Basic Health and Welfare, Funding

Under UK Government policy, many migrants have ‘No Recourse to Public Funds’ (NRPF). This restricts their access to welfare, housing, and financial support. To mitigate its effects, Scottish Government has announced a further £278,784 is being made available to six organisations supporting people subject to NRPF in Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Date: 9th December 2020
Category: COVID-19, Education, Leisure and Cultural Activities

To make children’s rights real and to ensure the best efforts of recovery from COVID-19, the impact of Covid-19 on families must first be understood. Children’s Parliament has captured the experiences of 15 parents, carers and children as lockdown restrictions have changed throughout the year.

Date: 9th December 2020
Category: Young carers

Hame is a visionary and innovative new young person-led organisation which will develop and manage new homes for care experienced young people in Dundee aged 16 and over. This Modern Apprentice role will provide advice and support for all aspects of this project development.

Date: 9th December 2020
Category: Disability, Basic Health and Welfare, Civil Rights and Freedoms, Education, Leisure and Cultural Activities

‘From Scotland’s Young People’ is a five-year document detailing what changes Scottish Youth Parliament plans to make during the period 2021-26. Members of the Scottish Parliament can use this manifesto to form a strong mandate to bring about changes that matter to young people across Scotland and champion Article 12 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Date: 9th December 2020
Category: Reporting to and monitoring the UNCRC

Elections of half of the members of the UN Committee have taken place. Among fourteen candidates, States have voted for nine newly elected and re-elected members.