UNCRC Strategic Implementation board minutes: August 2022 - Summary

Attendees and apologies

Members of the Board

• Aileen Nicol on behalf of Craig Morris, The Care Inspectorate
• Ben Farrugia, Social Work Scotland
• Chloe Riddell, The Promise Scotland
• Clare Simpson, Parenting Across Scotland
• Colin Convery, Police Scotland
• Des Murray, SOLACE
• Dragan Nastic, UNICEF
• Gary Ritchie, Police Scotland
• Gayle Devlin on behalf of David Wallace, Social Security Scotland
• Gayle Gorman, Education Scotland
• Gina Wilson, Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland
• Jennifer Davidson, Institute for Inspiring Children’s Futures
• Juliet Harris, Together Scotland
• Katy Kelman on behalf of Kay McCorquodale, Scottish Courts and Tribunal Services
• Laura Pasternak, Coalition of Care and Support Providers (CCPS)
• Michael Cameron, Scottish Housing Regulator

Scottish Government officials

• Michael Chalmers (Chair), Director for Children and Families
• Andrew Preston, UNCRC Programme Assistant
• Dean Snape, UNCRC Project Manager
• Kaylie Shaw, Policy Support Officer
• Lawrence Mearns, Children’s Rights Resolution Programme Manager
• Liz Levy, Joint Head of Children’s Rights Unit
• Lyndsey Saki, Embedding Children’s Rights in Public Services Programme Lead
• Nicola Hughes, Joint Head of Children’s Rights Unit
• Paul Gorman, Empowered Children and Young People Programme Lead
• Poppy Prior, SGLD
• Shona Spence, UNCRC Bill Lead
• Eilidh Walker (minutes), UNCRC Programme Assistant

Apologies

• Angela Leitch, Public Health Scotland
• Ashleigh Pitcairn, Scottish Courts and Tribunal Services
• Barbara Bolton, Scottish Human Rights Commission
• Ben Gaston, SGLD
• Carol Potter, NHS Fife
• Craig Morris, Care Inspectorate
• David Wallace, Social Security Scotland
• Donna MacLean, Healthcare Improvement Scotland
• Jaci Douglas, Care and Learning Alliance (CALA)
• Kay McCorquodale, Scottish Courts and Tribunal Services
• Laura Caven, Coalition of Scottish Local Authorities
• Lauren Sorrell, UNCRC Implementation Programme Lead
• Tom McNamara, Deputy Director, Children’s Rights, Protection and Justice
• Victoria Morton, SGLD

Items and actions

What is the Strategic Implementation Board?

The Strategic Implementation Board (or SIB, for short) is a group of people that meet every month to support the Government to make the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child part of Scots law and put in place support for organisations, children and young people, and their families to help ensure that children’s rights are respected.

They discuss whether the work that’s required is on track and help to resolve any problems that are encountered in trying to make this happen.

There are people on the SIB from Police, Education, Health, Social Work, children’s rights organisations, and the Scottish Government.

What was discussed at this meeting?

Child rights budgeting

SIB were told that the Scottish Government are encouraging organisations to make sure they consider the rights of the child when they are making decisions about their budgets. You can find more information about child rights budgeting here.

Engagement with Together

SIB were also told that the organisation Together are meeting with the Chief Economist and the Director General Economy to see what support can be given so that Scotland can lead by example. If you are interested in learning more about Together, please click the word Together that is highlighted above.

Update on the UNCRC Bill

SIB members were given an update on the UNCRC (UN Convention on the Rights of the Child) Bill. The aim is for the UNCRC Bill to be brought back to Parliament by the end of this year. Changes are being made to address the challenges identified by the Supreme Court.

The Scottish Government will share details of the changes with the UK Government, allowing time to respond to any issues and reduce the chance of the Supreme Court becoming involved again.

Information for families

The Scottish Government has created a new information booklet for families to help keep them informed about UNCRC. It is important that parents, carers, and guardians know about children’s rights to ensure everyone is empowered to be a rights defender.

Future meetings

At the next SIB meeting, different organisations will present their work to build awareness of what is happening across Scotland to help make children’s rights real.

The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 27 September 2022.