Date: 1st November 2016
Category: Respect for the views of the child

U-Report is an anonymous messaging service that allows children to speak out on issues that matter. New questions are sent out every week, to which live results on what children around the country are thinking on that topic.

Date: 1st November 2016
Category: Freedom of association and peaceful assembly, Child poverty

LGBT Youth Scotland's Housing and Homelessness Youth Commissioners want to hear from LGBT young people who have experience of homelessness. They are gathering young people's stories to help evidence the need for a National Strategy that recognises the role discrimination plays in increasing the risk of homelessness.

Date: 1st November 2016
Category: Inclusive education

The government are almost doubling the free entitlement in the Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) provision to 1140 hours per day by 2020. This consultation will help support the development of these policy approaches.

Date: 1st November 2016
Category: Disability, Basic Health and Welfare

Following on from the consultation of the National Care Standards in 2014, the next phase of the National Care Standards Review is to develop a set of Standards linked to the overarching Principles which were approved by the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport in February 2016.

Date: 18th October 2016
Category: Armed conflict

A new Medact report sets out the biological, medical and public health grounds for increasing the age of military enlistment in the UK.

Date: 18th October 2016
Category: Child trafficking

The draft Trafficking and Exploitation Strategy sets out what the Scottish Government plans to do to tackle trafficking.

Date: 18th October 2016
Category: Right to life, survival and development

The Human Rights Council has requested the OHCHR to conduct a study on the relationship between climate change and the full and effective enjoyment of the rights of the child.

Date: 18th October 2016
Category: General principles

The Minister for Childcare and Early Years, Mark McDonald MSP, has highlighted the 2016 UNCRC Concluding Observations in an open letter.

Date: 17th October 2016
Category: Care Experienced children

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced a consultation on more choice for free childcare hours and a review of the care system for looked-after children.

Date: 17th October 2016
Category: Child poverty

The Scottish Government launched its Fairer Scotland Action Plan this week, setting out the 50 steps it plans to take to make Scotland a fairer place by 2030.

Date: 17th October 2016
Category: Children in situations of exploitation

NSPCC Scotland say referrals of suspected child abuse from their helpline to police and social services have risen by 58% in the past 3 years.

Date: 17th October 2016
Category: Social security, Education, Leisure and Cultural Activities

A new Scottish Government financial review suggests that funds to pay for free childcare is not being spent on the program by councils.

Date: 17th October 2016
Category: Child trafficking

Scotland's first Human Trafficking Strategy aiming to break up trafficking groups and support victims has been launched following evidence of a threefold rise in child trafficking.

Date: 17th October 2016
Category: Non-discrimination

Speaking at the start of Hate Crime Awareness Week, the chief of Police Scotland said he was determined to eradicate all forms of hatred in Scotland. A new network of LGBTI liaison officers has been established to improve the reporting of hate crimes.

Date: 17th October 2016
Category: Best interests of the child

New research has found 88% of young people in Britain today say they 'lack confidence and doubt they will succeed in life', prompting a reminder from Barnardo's to parents, carers and adults about the importance of expressing belief in children and young people.

Date: 17th October 2016
Category: Children in situations of exploitation

A new global report has highlighted the multiple forms of discrimination and barriers that affect girls today.

Date: 17th October 2016
Category: Right to life, survival and development

The Scottish Government has commissioned ARC Scotland to map the availability of planning and support for people aged 14 - 25 years who have additional support needs in Scotland.

Date: 4th October 2016
Category: Incorporation

Together made a submission in partnership with the Children's Rights Alliance for England (CRAE) to urge the Committee to place a particular focus on considering the rights of children and young people.

Date: 4th October 2016
Category: Reporting to and monitoring the UNCRC

Together, along with the Children's Rights Alliance for England (CRAE) and the Wales UNCRC Monitoring Group has submitted a joint GB response to the third UPR cycle taking place in May 2017.

Date: 4th October 2016
Category: Other human rights treaties and mechanisms

On 29th September 2016, the Scottish Parliament formally agreed a new name and remit for the Equal Opportunities Committee. The Membership of the Committee remains unchanged.