Children and Young People Bill – Children’s Rights
The Scottish Government is currently working on a Children and Young People Bill that will be introduced to Parliament for approval in 2013.
Read: Engage CYP Bill – An introduction.
The bill is intended to help realise the Scottish Government’s ambition for Scotland’s children:
“This Government’s vision for children and young people is clear: We want Scotland to be the best place in the world for them to grow up. A place where rights are respected and where children can access all the opportunities and support they need, when they need it.” Children’s Minister, Aileen Campbell.
Last week, we focused on an introduction to the key themes, now we are examining each in more detail, first up, Children’s Rights:
CHILDREN’S RIGHTS
Bill aim:
To place children’s rights at the centre of public services in Scotland.
Bill proposals:
The very process of introducing legislation is expected to increase awareness of children’s rights in Scotland. More fundamentally, the legal duties and obligations formalised within the Bill will offer wide-ranging benefits to children and young people:
- The Bill will place a new legal requirement on Scottish Government Ministers to further children’s rights in line with the UNCRC.
- The Bill will require Scottish Government Ministers and Public Bodies to report on how they are implementing children’s rights.
- The Bill will extend the current powers of Scotland’s Commissioner for Children, allowing him to undertake investigations on behalf of individual children.
This article is part of a series on Engage about the proposed Children and Young People Bill. The Bill team are also keen to hear your views in the formal consultation:
Children and Young People Bill – Public Consultation [Closes - 25/09/12]
The Scottish Government’s consultation on the Children and Young People Bill runs from 4 July to 25 September 2012, on proposals for new legislation to help make Scotland the best place for children to grow up.
Follow ongoing discussion around the Bill and other related areas via the hash tag: #bestplacetogrowup.
About the author
The Children & Families team work across government and with delivery partners to develop policy and help turn it into changes to services for children, young people and their families – making sure they get the help and support they need, when they need it. Our policies put the child’s needs first, and aim to keep them safe from harm. Further information
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