UNCRC statutory guidance: consultation analysis - child friendly report
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) (Incorporation) (Scotland) Act 2024 requires Ministers to publish statutory guidance on Parts 2 and 3 of the Act. This easy read report provides an analysis of consultation responses received on the draft guidance and sets out key findings and feedback from children and young people.
Public Consultation
We received 92 answers to our public consultation, from people and organisations.
First UNCRC guidance document on upholding children’s rights
The first guidance explained the UNCRC Act, what public authorities need to do to meet children’s rights, and how children and young people can raise issues and take organisations to court if their rights are not met.
Adults told us that this guidance was too long and needed to be clearer. They thought that some of it was difficult to understand.
They wanted examples of organisations and workers who have to follow the guidance. Some people asked for sections to be moved around and some suggested extra information that could help readers.
The main concern was that some organisations might not realise that the new law applies to them.
The guidance had a tool to help public authorities work out if their actions are upholding children's rights. Most people liked this tool but some people thought it needed to be easier to use.
Second UNCRC guidance document on children’s rights reporting
The second guidance was for ‘listed authorities’ like councils and health boards who have to write children’s rights reports.
Most people thought this guidance was helpful, and clear about what listed authorities needed to do, and when they needed to do it.
Some people told us that there was information in this guidance that could be cut – as it was already in the first guidance.
People liked that listed authorities would need to speak to children and young people and ask about their views, and that they would need to create a child friendly version of the report.
Some people said it should be clear that all children should be involved, including children who might find communicating difficult.
Some people liked that organisations could decide what their report looks like, a few people wanted them all to be the same. People liked that listed authorities could combine their children’s rights reports with other reports.
People said that reports need to be interesting, easy to find and easy to read.
Contact
Email: uncrcincorporation@gov.scot
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