Rights of Children & Young People Bill

Consultation

Scott Wood

Children’s Rights & Wellbeing Division

Scottish Government

Context

• Manifesto & Ministers’ Vision:“a programme of ambitious reform for transforming public services in order to improve the life chances of our children and young people. At the centre of these plans is a fundamental shift in our philosophy and direction, recognising the essential importance of the early years of a child's life.”

• Recognising, respecting and promoting Children’s Rights is central to that ambition.

Children’s Rights in Scotland

• Approach based on UNCRC

• 2008 Concluding Observations of UN Committee

• Alignment of Domestic Legislation with UNCRC

• Scottish Ministers response - “Do the Right Thing”

The Rights of Children & Young People Bill

What We Hope to Achieve

• Increased prominence of the UNCRC

• Greater consistency & clarity around the role of the UNCRC in the work of Government

• Improved transparency & scrutiny

• Increased accountability

• Duty on Ministers to have “Due Regard” to the UNCRC in exercising all functions.

• Duty on Scottish Ministers to report on implementation every five years.

• Extension to young persons aged under 21 who are looked after.

• Future proofing against changes to the UNCRC and Optional Protocols.

The Rights of Children & Young People Bill

Proposals

The Rights of Children & Young People Bill

Implementation

• Awareness Raising and Skills Development within the Scottish Government

• Development of tools and resources to support assessment of policies against the UNCRC

• Review of core policies and processes such as budget allocation.

Consultation

• Deadline: Thursday 1 December 2011.

• Direct consultation with children and young people through:

• Young Scot• Scottish Youth Parliament• Children’s Parliament

• www.scotland.gov.uk/consultations

Timescales

• Proposed introduction of the Bill to Parliament: Summer 2012

• Bill passed and Royal Assent: Spring 2013

• Bill coming into force: Autumn 2014

Thank you