Children and young people's voices matter: progress report - February 2019

Agreed Actions

1. We will listen to children and young people’s views and take account of their views in our work as Scottish Ministers.

2. We will encourage Scottish Government officials to listen to children and young people and take account of their views as early as possible during the policy making process.

3. We will consider how young people’s views are heard on religious observance in schools.

4. As set out in the Programme for Government 2017-18, we will undertake a comprehensive audit on the most effective and practical way to further embed the principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child into legislation, policy and practice, including the option of full incorporation into domestic law.

5. We will listen to and take account of the voices of young people on key rights issues that they feel should be protected during Brexit.

This will include organising a meeting with the Cabinet Secretary for Government Business and Constitutional Relations and MSYPs to discuss their Brexit manifesto.

6. We will reinforce the Getting it right for every child approach and ensure that it is meaningful for children and young people.

7. We will consider how the child-centred approach, promoted by Getting it right for every child, is working in practice for developing positive relationships for children with practitioners (such as teachers and social workers, as raised by children).

8. We will take steps to improve the wellbeing of children and young people. In particular, we will look at:

a) Bullying

b) Equality

c) Period poverty

d) Mosquito devices

9. We will encourage more people to be Unfearties and raise awareness of children’s rights amongst children, young people and adults.

10. We will encourage more people, particularly children and young people, to be Human Rights Defenders.