Keeping The Promise to all our children, young people, adults and families

Building capacity

We will lead and support the change needed to improve the lives of children and families

Putting your rights at the heart of decisions

To make change happen we need to change the law and improve how we work together

We will:

• Look at making the laws about the care system easier to understand because we know it is important that all children and young people understand their rights and the different laws which affect them
• Make the United National Convention on the Rights of the Child (the UNCRC) part of the law in Scotland. This would mean that public authorities (such as the Scottish Government, courts, schools, councils, police and the national health service) must protect children's rights, including by listening to children when making decisions that affect them
• Change how we spend money to provide support early rather than when families are struggling to find their way. This is called "preventative spend"

How will we know the changes we are making are doing what they should do for you?

We will:

• Work with local authorities and other partners to share what we know and the information we hold to show that the work we are doing is making a difference
• Learn more about our children and young people who are in care and understand more about children and young people's experiences and relationships by listening to them

The United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) includes the right to be kept safe from harm and protected against violence and abuse and to be protected from all sorts of exploitation. It also includes rights about what should happen if you can't be looked after by your mum and dad.