Gypsy/Travellers action plan 2024-2026: Child rights and wellbeing impact assessment

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?

Applicable answer(s): Positive

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.

The proposal recognises the collective and intergenerational character of the community. Children’s rights are recognised and upheld by ensuring participation processes are localised to the group or family. Outcomes in the proposal assist children and young people form the community to have awareness of and be involved in decision making that affects them, ensuring they continue to be respected.

• Article 2 Non-discrimination

Objective 25 will ensure actions are taken to challenge racism and discrimination again Gypsy/Travellers (including children), as well as promote Gypsy/Traveller’s rights and recognise Gypsy/Traveller history and culture.

• Article 4 Implementation of the Convention

Objective 8 develops a series of national, high-level, interagency actions that involve communities in decision making to protect their rights to education. Through their involvement in a steering group participating national organisations will commit to overseeing the fulfilment of education-related rights to the best of their ability.

• Article 5 Parental guidance and a child’s evolving capacities

Objective 10 supports community members and educators to work together and develop relationships and trust. This objective respects the rights of parents to provide appropriate direction and guidance in a manner consistent with their own custom and the evolving capacities of the child.

• Article 8 Protection and preservation of identity

Objectives 11, 25 and 26 will help respecting the right of the child to preserve his or her identity, for instance supporting schools to be proactive in communicating with Gypsy/Traveller parents to ensure that they have access to information and support at all stages of their children’s education, promoting Gypsy/Traveller’s rights, history and culture.

• Article 12 Respect for the views of the child

Objective 28 will ensure young people are participating in the UNCRC reporting cycle which enables them to have their voice heard in matters affecting their lives: “Article will consult with up to 20 young Gypsy/Travellers on their rights as part of the UNCRC reporting process”.

• Article 14 Freedom of thought, belief and religion

Objective 10 supports educators and community members to come together to build local relationships and trust. This action protects the rights to freedom of thought, belief and expression by creating safe spaces where views and beliefs can be shared and respected.

• Article 24 Health and health services

Objective 13 ensures that the learning from the MECOPP community Health Worker (CHW) service is embedded in mainstream health services. Objective 14 ensures an increase in knowledge and understanding about the health and social care needs and inequalities experienced by Gypsy/Traveller communities to inform and influence future service planning and design, which will have a positive impact on the health and health services for the whole community.

• Article 26 Social security

Children and their families will be better supported to take up the social security assistance they are entitled to due to the development of approaches and communication strategies which address barriers and respond to the needs of Gypsy/Traveller communities.

• Article 27 Adequate standard of living

Objectives included in the “Accommodation and Planning” will have a positive impact on standard of living.

• Article 28 Right to education

Objective 8 responds to the barriers to education described by community members, respecting each child’s right to an education. To fulfil this right an inter-agency group will agree priority actions to achieve improvement. The rights will also be fulfilled through Objective 9 by offering more flexible learning alternatives and culturally-sustaining opportunities to succeed.

• Article 29 Goals of education

Objective 9 effects a range of strategies to support staff to respect children’s rights to develop their education and abilities to their fullest potential. Staff will fulfil these rights by recognising culturally-specific needs in partnership with parents and families.

• Article 30 Children from minority or indigenous groups

Objective 11 ensures that schools protect the right for children to be able to express and celebrate their indigenous origins, customs and beliefs. The right is respected through the inclusion and integration of all aspects of Gypsy/Traveller culture in the life and ethos of schools.

• Article 31 Leisure, play and culture

Objective 11 protects the child’s right to engage in play and participate in cultural and arts activities that reflect their own culture. The right is fulfilled through the extension of the 'STEP Starter Packs' programme enabling every Gypsy/Traveller child to learn through play, offering the best start for going to school and improving opportunities throughout life.

• Article 42 Knowledge of rights

Through the work of Article 12 on Objective 28, children and young people will engage in raising awareness work which will increase their knowledge of human rights and the UNCRC. Up to 50 young Gypsy/Travellers across Scotland will be engaged.

9. If a negative impact has been identified please describe below. Is there a risk this could potentially amount to an incompatibility?

N/A

Mitigation Record

What options have been considered to modify the proposal in order to mitigate negative impact or potential incompatibility issues?

N/A

Issue or risk Identified per article/ Optional Protocol

N/A

Action Taken/ To Be Taken

N/A

Date action to be taken or was taken

N/A

10. As a result of the evidence gathered and analysed against all wellbeing indicators, will the proposal contribute to the wellbeing of children and young people in Scotland?

Safe: No

Healthy: Yes

Achieving: Yes

Nurtured: Yes

Active: No

Respected: Yes

Responsible: No

Included: Yes

If yes, please provide an explanation below:

The action plan will contribute in a general sense to each of wellbeing indicators due to its impact on the overall wellbeing of families. The plan will specifically contribute to the following key indicators for Gypsy/Traveller children:

• Healthy: access to improved standards of physical and mental health;
• Included: being accepted as part of the communities in which they live and having help to overcome educational and social barriers;
• Respected: having opportunities to be involved in decisions that affect them;
• Nurtured: having a nurturing place to live in a family setting;
• Achieving: being supported in their learning and in the development of their skills, confidence and self-esteem at home, at school and in the community.

11. How will you communicate to children and young people the impact that the proposal will have on their rights?

The Scottish Traveller Education Programme (STEP) has produced video infographics in partnership with children and young people from the community. The infographics raise awareness of relevant rights and are used by education staff throughout the country as an accessible tool to support children to discuss policy-related issues, access and entitlements to services and strategies for improvement.

The CRWIA will be published and has been written in accessible language so as to allow for children and young people to understand its content and the potential impact (or no impact) on their rights.