Child Rights Regulation and Improvement Action Group minutes: July 2023

Attendees and apologies

• Lyndsey Saki (Chair), Scottish Government – LS
• Gita Sharkey, Scottish Government – GS
• Luiza Leite (minutes), Scottish Government – LL
• Jillian Matthew, Audit Scotland – JM
• Tricia Meldrum, Audit Scotland – TM
• Nina Miller, Audit Scotland – NM
• Craig Morris, Care Inspectorate – CM
• Aileen Nicol, Care Inspectorate – AN
• Fraser McCallum, Education Scotland – FM
• Noreen Philips, Education Scotland – NP
• Eleanor Kerr, NHS Healthcare Improvement Scotland – EK
• Clare McGuire, NHS Education Scotland – CMG
• Katy Hetherington, NHS Education Scotland – KH
• Neil Macleod, Scottish Social Services Council – NMA
• Stephen Bermingham, Children’s Hearings Scotland – SB
• Craig Naylor, HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland – CN

Apologies:

• Iain Muirhead, Scottish Housing Regulator

Items and actions

Introductions 

LS welcomed attendees and noted any apologies received. Introductions followed as this was the first meeting of the Child Rights Regulation and Improvement Action Group. 

Terms of Reference (ToR)

There were a few suggestions noted, which members generally agreed to: 
•    Amendment to the first purpose: remove “inspectorate” and keep the term “regulator”
•    The group agreed that it will advise and support on short term actions that support UNCRC implementation and on longer-term strategies for embedding children's rights
•    It was originally proposed that the group would meet every month for 6 months. Members suggested that it would be more helpful to meet bi-monthly over a 12 month period instead. This should allow us to align actions with the UNCRC Implementation Programme
•    It was agreed that Scottish Government colleagues will chair for consistency
•    It was suggested that Scottish Public Services Ombudsman and the Children and Young People’s Commissioner for Scotland (CYPCS) be invited to join the group
LS noted that we welcome further comments on the ToRs by email. 
Action 1: LL to share updated terms of reference document with members.

Forward plan

Members agreed that a standing item on UNCRC Bill would be helpful for future meetings. Discussion followed on forward planning and areas the group wished to focus on.
The following comments and themes were captured:
•    The links with UNCRC and other priorities, such as corporate parenting and The Promise
•    Participation in inspection processes and reform of inspection processes
•    Child rights and wellbeing impact assessments (CRWIA), particularly how to integrate with Equality impact assessments (EQIA)
•    Highlighting shared learning/good practice
•    Children’s Rights reports 2020-2023 – the Care Inspectorate are looking at bringing together keeping the promise, corporate parenting and children’s rights in one report
•    Child-rights budgeting – Audit Scotland are currently looking at human rights budgeting in audit work. The audit is on digital exclusion and takes a human rights based approach. Lived experience from children and young people will form part of this. The work is still ongoing, with the report due in March 2024, but JM is happy to share learning from this process
•    It was suggested that it would be helpful to have consistency in participation, with all members using the same approach. Two organisations currently make use of the Lundy model of participation and this approach will be highlighted in the upcoming SG non-statutory guidance on taking a children’s human rights approach. Members suggested inviting Laura Lundy for her input at a future meeting
•    There was a question on whether regulation and inspection has been mapped out nationally. LS agreed to check if there is any existing information on this
Action 2: LS to consider comments from the group and start a forward look document.
Action 3: CM will share the Care Inspectorate’s combined report with the group, once it’s available. 
Action 4: LS to check if mapping of regulation and inspection has taken place, and share any relevant information.
LS mentioned the quarterly UNCRC programme update and encouraged any members not receiving this to be included in the distribution. Members agreed this would be useful. 
Action 5: LL to add members to UNCRC programme distribution list.

AOB and date of next meeting

The next meeting will be scheduled for Tuesday 19th September 2023.