Scottish School Milk Subsidy Scheme - 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?

The Scottish School Milk Subsidy Scheme is expected to have a positive impact on children. No negative impact has been identified.

The scheme aims to provide direct funding to allow local authorities to design a school milk scheme that meets the needs of the children in their local primary and special schools. In particular, aiming to support equity, nutrition and remove some of the pressure on family income.

The features of the new scheme aligns with the provisions of the Equality Act 2010 and other relevant legislative requirements. It will support schools and local authorities to provide milk schemes in a way that meet the needs of children by widening access to dairy products across Scotland.

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.

Under the UK school milk subsidy scheme, children who are unable or chose not to consume dairy for a variety of reasons, for example dietary restrictions or cultural identity, cannot participate as non-dairy alternatives are not eligible for subsidy and so not offered locally. The new Scottish School Milk Subsidy Scheme removes that restriction and as such widens access for those children, improving equity and potential discrimination.

Only 18 local authorities offered school milk schemes with 17 of them claiming under the UK school milk subsidy scheme. Under new Scottish School Milk Subsidy Scheme funding has been provided to all 32 local authorities with the aim of increasing the number of children able to access a school milk scheme improving equity and potential discrimination.

9. Is there a risk this could potentially amount to an incompatibility?

No negative impacts have been identified.

Mitigation Record

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

No negative impacts have been identified.

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: Not Applicable

Healthy: Yes

Achieving: Not Applicable

Nurtured: Yes

Active: Not Applicable.

Respected: Yes

Responsible: Not Applicable

Included: Yes

If yes, please provide an explanation below:

Under the new scheme eligible children will be provided with a portion of milk or non-dairy alternative which supports their healthy growth and development and is appropriate to their dietary needs and choices. Supporting children’s nutrition needs in turn supports their ability to learn, be active and have their decision not to consume dairy respected. As non-dairy alternatives are now included as part of the new scheme, eligible children will now be included where previously they were not.

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

Once a local authority has designed their school milk scheme taking into account local needs and priorities, it is expected that they will take steps to promote their scheme to eligible children and their families to encourage uptake. The Scottish Government will support local authorities as they provide information to children and young people about the aims of their local schemes.