United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child - concluding observations 2023: SG initial response - child-friendly version
This report explains how the Scottish Government (SG) is responding to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child’s concluding observations. These were published in 2023. This document will tell you about some of the things we are doing to make things better for children and their families in Scotland
Family Environment and Alternative Care
What we are doing to help parents and carers to support their children. This includes the help that is available to support children who cannot live at home with their families.
The UN said…
Parents and children should be able to use childcare even if they don't have lots of money, or if they live in the countryside. All children should have early childhood education.
Scottish Government said…
Childcare and early learning is very important for us as a government and for all the children and families in Scotland.
Childcare and early learning
All three- and four-year olds in Scotland can have free early learning and childcare. We are making childcare free for more families who are unable to pay for this.
What's next?
We will listen to children and families so that we can find out more about what kind of childcare families in different parts of Scotland want. We think there should be at least 1,000 more childminders in Scotland. This will help Scottish families look after their children, including in the countryside. We are working together with our partners to make this happen.
The UN said…
Scotland should teach service providers to identify young carers and provide their families with support.
Scottish Government said…
We've developed a plan called the National Carers Strategy which explains how we're making support for young carers better.
The Carers (Scotland) Act
The Carers (Scotland) Act says every young carer has the right to a Young Carer Statement. This helps them find out what support they can get. More information about Young Carer Statements and the words used in the Carers (Scotland) Act can be found in our Jargon Buster.
We're helping people who work with children and young people to learn how best.
to help young carers. Teachers can do a new online learning module to better understand and help young carers. School nurses are being trained to make sure that young carers get the help they need. All health workers can watch these 'Caring for Young Carers' webinars to learn about how to support young carers.
What's next?
We've set up a Young Carer Working Group with people from inside and outside the Scottish Government. They will work together to help young carers get the support they need. We'll also keep talking directly with young carers through events like the Scottish Young Carer Festival. This will help us find out what support young carers are getting and where they need more support.
Contact
Email: UNCRCIncorporation@gov.scot
There is a problem
Thanks for your feedback