Community Wealth Building (Scotland) Bill: child rights and wellbeing impact assessment (CRWIA)
Impact assessment to support the introduction of the Community Wealth (Scotland) Bill.
Conclusion
7. As a result of the evidence gathered and analysed against all UNCRC requirements, what is the potential overall impact of this proposal on children’s rights?
Positive: The CWB Bill itself does not impact on the specific rights and wellbeing of a child or young person as per the explanation in question 2. However, through the development and implementation of the CWB statement and CWB action plans there is significant potential to positively impact children’s wellbeing. For example, a positive impact could be achieved through the creation of more Fair Work opportunities and by providing more entry and progression routes for individuals, which could increase household incomes.
In addition to this, the CWB approach is recognised by Public Health Scotland. Their Health Impact Assessment found that the successful implementation of CWB is likely to have a variety of positive impacts on health, including through addressing some of the fundamental causes of health inequalities.
The CWB model promotes Fair Work and encourages actions to develop local labour markets that support the prosperity and wellbeing of communities. Access to local and fair employment opportunities, fairer wages, skills development opportunities and improved wellbeing of employees have been identified as a key to tackling child poverty in the Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan 2022-26.[7] Action taken through the CWB statement and CWB action plan will help to create new sustainable fair work opportunities for parents, tackling structural inequalities which have previously prevented families from participating in the labour market.
Therefore, overall, although there is no direct impact on children through the legislation, through the development and implementation of the CWB statement and CWB action plans it is likely that children will benefit from the overall economic improvement and improved circumstances of their parents/carers.
8. If you have identified a positive impact on children’s rights, please describe below how the proposal will protect, respect, and fulfil children’s rights in Scotland.
While none of the provisions focus solely on children, the overall impact will be positive on them given the improvements to the overall economic transformation of Scotland.
9. If a negative impact has been identified please describe it below. Is there a risk this could potentially amount to an incompatibility?
Not applicable.
Mitigation Record
What options have been considered to modify the proposal in order to mitigate a negative impact or potential incompatibility?
Please summarise mitigation actions taken below
Issue or risk identified and relevant UNCRC requirement
None.
Action Taken/ To Be Taken
Not applicable.
Date action to be taken or was taken
Not applicable.
10. As a result of the evidence gathered and analysed against all wellbeing indicators (Annex 2), will the proposal contribute to the wellbeing of children and young people in Scotland? (Guidance Section 2.3.2, pages 20-22).
Safe: Not Applicable
Healthy: Not Applicable
Achieving: Not Applicable
Nurtured: Not Applicable
Active: Not Applicable
Respected: Not Applicable
Responsible: Not Applicable
Included: Not Applicable
If yes, please provide an explanation below:
11. How will you communicate to children and young people the impact that the proposal will have on their rights?
The CRWIA will be published on the gov.scot website so those wishing to access it can do so. The CRWIA has been written in so far as possible in accessible language so those reading it can understand its content and how it does not impact on their rights.