UNCRC (Incorporation) (Scotland) Act 2024 - part 3: statutory guidance

5. Publication requirements of reports

Reports under the section 18 duty must be published in such a manner as the listed authority (or authorities) considers appropriate. The Act is not prescriptive about how a listed authority should meet the publication duty nor where material should be published.

Listed authorities should consider the key audiences for reports, for example, children, parents, the community, and Scottish Ministers, and they should identify appropriate methods to share the report. .

Publication could include production of printed reports, publication on the listed authority's website or a more bespoke solution like the creation of a children's rights micro site or dedicated web page.

It is recommended that listed authorities update stakeholders on actions set out in the report. This would include details of work done and progress made regarding planned actions. For example, a dedicated page on a listed authority's website where progress and results of planned actions can be shared.

A child friendly version of reports must be made accessible alongside full reports, as mentioned below in more detail. For example, where a listed authority publishes a full report on a specific page of their website, this page must also provide access to the easy read or inclusive report. Moreover, listed authorities may consider sharing easy read or inclusive reports on other digital domains, e.g. via Glow Connect – Scotland's digital learning platform, youth services, uniformed organisations, children's services partnerships and relevant third sector organisation webpages.

5.1.Duty to lay reports before Scottish Ministers

A listed authority (or where two or more authorities have prepared a report jointly, either or any of them) must, as soon as practicable after publishing the report, send a copy of it to the Scottish Ministers.

The purpose of this requirement is to increase transparency on UNCRC implementation and to provide the opportunity for analysis of good practice by listed authorities and identification of emerging policy and practice trends.

Reports should be sent to UNCRCIncorporation@gov.scot.

5.2.Publication of joint and/or combined reports

Where two or more listed public authorities have chosen to report jointly, or where the reporting requirements have been fulfilled through their inclusion in another plan or report, it is advised that they ensure the public are aware of the children's rights report and can access it easily.

Each of the parties to the joint report may want to consider having a clear strategy for publication and distribution of the report to its local audience of stakeholders. Supporting text that accompanies publication should make it clear that the report has been completed on a joint basis, who the reporting parties are, the rationale for why their report has been completed in this way and provide a contact for each reporting party.

Likewise, where the reporting requirements on children's rights have been included in another plan or report, this should be clear to stakeholders and easily accessible.

5.3.Accessibility considerations

To support all interested stakeholders to engage with the report it is important to consider how any accessibility needs can be met.

Listed authorities may consider consultation with stakeholders regarding publication formatting. This consultation will provide insight into stakeholder accessibility needs. Listed authorities can then take necessary actions to ensure the specific accessibility needs of their audiences are met.

Listed authorities could also consider alternative formats that improve accessibility to the report. For example, an easy read version, audio version or production in languages other than English. The place and format of publication should be easy for external stakeholders to find and user friendly.

5.4.Further engagement

Public authorities may also wish to create opportunities to engage children, families, communities, practitioners and civic society in discussions about the findings of children's rights reports once they are published. This process could provide mechanisms for evaluative feedback which can be used by listed authorities to inform action plans for the next reporting cycle..