An update on UNCRC incorporation

Date: 2nd February 2022
Category: Incorporation

Scottish Government has reiterated its commitment to fully incorporate the UNCRC as a matter of urgency. The statement came as opposition parties united in calling for progress on the UNCRC (Incorporation) (Scotland) Bill following the UK Supreme Court’s judgment in June 2021.

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Scottish Sentencing Council to take a trauma-informed approach to sentencing young people

Date: 2nd February 2022
Category: Children of prisoners

New sentencing guidelines have come into effect for people under 25. It asks that rehabilitation is a primary consideration when sentencing a young person. Courts must now consider the backgrounds and experiences of those who are under the age of 25 at the date of their plea of guilty or when a finding of guilt is made against them.

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Advice to Scottish Government on the Child Poverty Delivery Plan 2022-26

Date: 2nd February 2022
Category: Child poverty

The Poverty and Inequality Commission has told Scottish Government it must use all levers available to it to end child poverty. The report calls for much clearer actions in the next Child Poverty Delivery Plan, with regards to what impact Scottish Government expects its actions to have on the targets and how it will measure this.

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Analysis of consultation responses concerning the Children (Scotland) Act 2020

Date: 2nd February 2022
Category: Social security, Family reunification, Care Experienced children, Parental responsibilities, Protection from abuse or neglect

These analysis reports capture and summarise responses to two 2021 consultations: on child contact centres; and another on child welfare reporters, curators ad litem and solicitors. This article highlights the key themes identified in the reports, interspersed with what we said in our consultation response.

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Our Hearings Our Voice is looking for new board members!

Date: 2nd February 2022
Category: Family Environment and Alternative Care

Do you know anyone aged eight to 18 who has experience of the Children’s Hearing System in Scotland and has ideas of how it can be improved? If yes, then get in touch!

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Podcast opportunity for young people

Date: 2nd February 2022
Category: Freedom of thought, conscience and religion

Young people are invited to share their thoughts on the place of religion in Scotland's schools as part of a podcast by the Humanist Society Scotland. Topics discussed could cover the likes of compulsory religious observance and UNCRC compliance, freedom of belief for young people, the value of Religious Moral and Philosophical Education within the curriculum and the effect the existence of faith schools has on individual pupils and Scottish society.

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Free bus travel for all young people under 22 years old

Date: 2nd February 2022
Category:

Anyone aged 5-21 who lives in Scotland will be eligible for a card that gives them free travel from 31 st January 2022. Applications to the scheme are currently open.

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Online Safety Bill – is it a missed opportunity?

Date: 2nd February 2022
Category: Equal protection from violence, Protection of privacy, Bullying, Protection from abuse or neglect

This Bill aims to tackle forms of illegal and harmful online content. However, according to a report by the House of Commons Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee, it is a missed opportunity as it does not tackle certain forms of content.

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Support Safer Internet Day

Date: 2nd February 2022
Category: Protection of privacy

#PlayYourPart in making a better internet! Register your support for Safer Internet Day 2022 on 8th February.

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How to improve early years policies

Date: 2nd February 2022
Category: General measures of implementation

Analysing early childhood development data and policies in nine countries, this new research highlights priorities that can help policymakers identify where to act.

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