Date: 23rd August 2021
Category: Equal protection from violence

The landmark Forensic Medical Services (Victims of Sexual Offences) (Scotland) Act 2021 was unanimously passed by the Scottish Parliament on 10 December 2020 and received Royal Assent on 20 January 2020. Work now advances to implement the FMS Act.

Date: 20th August 2021
Category: Recreation, play and cultural activities

Together has joined Play Scotland in warmly welcoming the announcement that £60 million will be invested in the renewal of play parks throughout Scotland. A joint letter sets out next steps to ensure the investment makes a real difference.

Date: 20th August 2021
Category: Child poverty

As part of the End Child Poverty coalition in Scotland, Together joins 120 organisations and leaders from across Scotland to call for doubling the Scottish Child Payment. This is the single most impactful action that could be taken to help meet the interim child poverty targets in 2023. It would signal that ending child poverty is a defining priority for this Scottish Government and Scottish Parliament.

Date: 20th August 2021
Category: Child poverty

The UK Government plans to cut universal credit and working tax credit by £20 a week in October. This is a lifeline many children and families need to have and without it, it will leave their right to food, shelter and health at risk.  Together joins organisations to #KeepTheLifeline, urging UK Government to change its mind.

Date: 20th August 2021
Category: COVID-19

The latest round of the #LockdownLowdown survey reveals what children and young people aged 11 to 25 feel about the impact of COVID-19 on their mental and physical health, access to information, employment, relationships, primary, secondary and further education and youth work.

Date: 20th August 2021
Category: Funding

The £3.3 million Fund will be delivered by Impact Funding Partners over the next 3 years. Organisations can apply for up to £30,000 until March 2024.

Date: 20th August 2021
Category: COVID-19

A new report published by APIC, supported by CYPCS, ‘#ScotYouthandCOVID2: Children and Young People’s Participation through Crisis’, provides a picture of the struggles faced by Scotland’s young people throughout the pandemic, highlighting the monotony of blended learning and online life amongst other struggles.

Date: 30th July 2021
Category: Family reunification, General measures of implementation, Best interests of the child, Policies & procedures

From 26th July 2021, the law has changed on what councils and the Children’s Hearings System must do to help siblings.

Date: 30th July 2021
Category: Child poverty, Social security

Chairs of four welfare committees from around the UK say removing the temporary top-up would affect families on the lowest incomes and therefore, the measure which is planned to end in October should remain.

Date: 30th July 2021
Category: General measures of implementation, Other human rights treaties and mechanisms

David Lammy MP, Shadow Lord Chancellor and Shadow Secretary of State for Justice, has announced that a Labour government would adopt several new policies on strengthening human rights, including the incorporation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child into UK law.

Date: 30th July 2021
Category: Mental health, Health and health services

NHS England has published new data that shows that referral cases for children and young people for mental health services have hit a record high as they doubled throughout the pandemic.

Date: 30th July 2021
Category: General measures of implementation

The Council of the European Union is expected to adopt the European Council Conclusions on the EU Strategy on the Rights of the Child.

Date: 30th July 2021
Category: Other human rights treaties and mechanisms, Civil Rights and Freedoms

This petition calls on the Scottish Parliament to urge Scottish Government to ban the provision or promotion of LGBT+ conversion therapy in Scotland.

Date: 30th July 2021
Category: COVID-19

The Finance and Public Administration Committee would like to hear your views on Scotland’s public finances in 2022-23 and how they have been affected by COVID-19, as part of its pre-budget scrutiny. As part of the consultation, the Committee wants to hear how the Scottish Government’s Budget for 2022-23 should address the impact of the pandemic across different age, income and education groups across Scotland.

Date: 30th July 2021
Category:

A new survey asks for views about how Police Scotland can best support survivors and witnesses of crime when it comes to providing immediate support and information. Survey findings will be used to inform development and shape Police Scotland services.

Date: 30th July 2021
Category: Disability, Basic Health and Welfare

Both consultations asked for views on changes that will happen as part of implementing the Children (Scotland) Act 2020.  

Date: 8th July 2021
Category: Incorporation

On 28-29th June, UK Supreme Court judges heard from the Scottish, Welsh and UK governments to inform their decision on whether the UNCRC (Incorporation) (Scotland) Bill is within the powers of Scottish Parliament. Together has created a round-up from the two-day hearing to help keep you informed!

Date: 8th July 2021
Category: Armed conflict

We have joined with 19 other children’s and human rights organisations to write to the UK Government, calling for an end to the recruitment of children by the UK armed forces.

Date: 8th July 2021
Category:

Applications are now open for the John Smith Centre Minority Ethnic Emerging Leaders Programme. The programme is a professional and personal development opportunity for up to 50 minority ethnic people between the ages of 18-29 across Scotland. Together is delighted to be one of the host employers.

Date: 8th July 2021
Category: Family Environment and Alternative Care

The report 2021 calls for a six-point plan to improve the life chances of adopted young people. Now in its third year, the barometer is the only comprehensive assessment of the lives of adoptive families across the UK, as well as the policies that govern adoption.