Date: 28th October 2020
Category: Equal protection from violence

This study is the first at a national level in Scotland on child sexual exploitation and the first to consider the vulnerabilities to sexual exploitation experienced by both girls and boys. It aims to develop an understanding as to why some children in Scotland become so vulnerable to sexual exploitation.

Date: 28th October 2020
Category: Disability, Basic Health and Welfare

The Human Rights Council has adopted its annual resolution on the rights of the child, with a focus on realising these rights through a healthy environment. This resolution urges States to recognise this right to a healthy environment through legislation and meaningful participation of children in decision-making processes.

Date: 28th October 2020
Category: Civil Rights and Freedoms, Education, Leisure and Cultural Activities

Closing date: 7th December 2020

Date: 28th October 2020
Category: Optional protocol on a communications procedure

The first question the Committee on the Rights of the Child has to answer when it receives communications submitted under the third Optional Protocol is: is the communication admissible? This report presents an annotated overview of the decisions made by the Committee to inform those who may consider submitting communications.

Date: 27th October 2020
Category: Child poverty

The study compares the findings of interviews with family support services held in 2013 and findings from interviews with the same services in 2019. The results highlight a rise in families experiencing destitution even before the coronavirus pandemic. 

Date: 27th October 2020
Category: Recreation, play and cultural activities

Starcatchers’ annual report outlines what projects and activities it held over the past year to ensure all nought to five-year olds through innovative arts and cultural experiences are inspired.

Date: 27th October 2020
Category: Equal protection from violence

On the 7th November 2020 the main provisions of the Children (Equal Protection from Assault) (Scotland) Act 2019 will come into force. Scottish Government has created resources to support the commencement of the Act.

Date: 27th October 2020
Category: Disability, Basic Health and Welfare

In summer 2020, Scottish Human Rights Commission carried out monitoring research into how COVID-19 has been managed and the impact of the pandemic on human rights including children’s rights. The research focused on the context of care at home and support in the community. The report calls for a commitment to return care and support to pre-pandemic levels as a minimum.

Date: 27th October 2020
Category:

Scottish Government has published its updated action plan Ending Homelessness Together. It includes plans for rapid rehousing welcome centres which will help people facing homelessness into more suitable accommodation as quickly as possible and ideally within 24 hours.

Date: 27th October 2020
Category: Family Environment and Alternative Care

Care experienced people of all ages are encouraged to share their experiences of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. The views gathered will enable Who Cares? Scotland to give evidence to Scottish Government, its committees and The Promise.

Date: 27th October 2020
Category: Education, including vocational education

Education Secretary John Swinney announced that grades will instead be awarded on the basis of teacher judgement supported by assessment throughout the school year. Higher and Advanced Higher exams will go ahead as usual, but will start on 13th May 2020, two weeks later than planned.

Date: 27th October 2020
Category: Disability, Basic Health and Welfare

Six young people aged 16-25 and RCPCH staff formed the COVID-19 Book Club. The club has been meeting for an hour each week to identify key themes from studies looking at young people’s experiences during the pandemic. In turn, these key themes intend to be used to inform NHS recovery and winter planning. 

Date: 27th October 2020
Category: Child poverty

Released as part of the joint #EndChildFoodPoverty campaign with Marcus Rashford, new survey data has revealed the equivalent of 2.2 million children aged eight to 17 are registered for free school meals across the UK. It is estimated 42% of these children (900,000) are newly registered.  

Date: 27th October 2020
Category: Refugee , migrant and asylum-seeking children

Following more than a decade of multi-level advocacy, and collaboration between civil society organisations, international partners, government authorities, and communities, all 389 members of the Mexican Congress declared to end the immigration detention of children.

Date: 27th October 2020
Category: Equal protection from violence

Closing date: 31st January 2021

Date: 27th October 2020
Category: Disability, Basic Health and Welfare

This report highlights potential long-term risks to equality and human rights in light of COVID-19, covering key issues in the areas of work, poverty, education, social care, justice and personal security. It provides a snapshot of the emerging cost of COVID-19 in particular for young people, older people and ethnic minorities.

Date: 27th October 2020
Category: Incorporation

Together has submitted its response to the Equalities and Human Rights Committee’s call for views. The new Bill moves us a step closer towards ensuring all children’s human rights are respected, protected and fulfilled across Scotland.

Date: 27th October 2020
Category: Child poverty

In March 2020, Action for Children launched its Coronavirus Emergency Fund in response to the increasing financial pressures felt by families, children and young people. The report uses evidence from Emergency Fund applications and a survey of frontline service staff to form recommendations to both the UK and devolved governments on what action is required to support families’ financial situation and to reduce child poverty rates.

Date: 12th October 2020
Category: Disability, Basic Health and Welfare

YouthLink Scotland is supporting Scottish Youth Parliament to run a series of focus groups, alongside the Lockdown Lowdown survey. The focus groups will explore in detail the issues currently affecting young people and findings will be used to inform Scottish Government about how COVID-19 is impacting the lives of young people.

Date: 12th October 2020
Category: Child poverty

Includem asked young people and families about their experiences of meeting day-to-day costs and what impact COVID-19 has had on them. Two thirds of respondents reliant on social security reported they were in a worse financial position now than before the pandemic and half said their debt was greater.