UNCRC Strategic Implementation Board minutes: January 2025 - summary

Attendees and apologies

Attendees

• Andrew Watson, Director for Children and Families
• Brian Taylor, Deputy Director Children’s Rights, Protection and Justice
• Lucinda Rivers, UNICEF UK
• Juliet Harris, Together: Scottish Alliance for Children’s Rights
• Amy Woodhouse, Parenting Across Scotland
• Gina Wilson, Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland (CYCPS)
• Kay Tisdall (Deputising for Jennifer Davidson), Institute for Inspiring Children’s Futures
• Rachel Grant (Deputising for Nicola Anderson) – Scottish Courts and Tribunal Service
• Craig Morris, Care Inspectorate
• Norma Ruettiman, Care and Learning Alliance
• Clare Wilson, Social Work Scotland
• Maxine Jolly, (Deputising for David Gregory)Education Scotland
• Eleanor Kerr, Health Improvement Scotland
• Elaine Tomlinson, Police Scotland

Scottish Government supporting officials 

• Dean Snape, UNCRC Project Manager, Children’s Rights Unit (secretariat)
• Andrew Preston, UNCRC Programme Assistant, Children’s Rights Unit (secretariat)
• Liz Levy, Joint Unit Head, Children’s Rights Unit
• Gita Sharkey, Joint Unit Head, Children’s Rights Unit
• Lyndsey Saki, Embedding Children’s Rights in Public Services Programme Lead, Children’s Rights Unit
• Kavita Chetty, Deputy Director Human Rights Division

Guests

• Alison Reid, Chief Executive of Clan Childlaw (attended to present at item 5)
• Julia Donnelly, Clan Childlaw (attended to present at item 5)
• Aqeel Ahmed, Improvement and Innovation Programme Manager, Children’s Rights Unit (attended to present at item 4)

Apologies

• Chloe Riddell, The Promise
• Laura Caven, COSLA
• Nicola Anderson, Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service
• Joe Smith, Right Reporting and Monitoring Programme Lead, SG Children’s Rights Unit
• Paul Gorman, Empowering Children and Young People Programme Lead, SG Children’s Rights Unit
• Jennifer Davidson, Institute for Inspiring Children’s Future’s
• David Gregory, Education Scotland

Items and actions

What was discussed at this meeting?

Programme Update

A progress report was shared, with no questions from members. The University of Edinburgh received funding to improve children's rights education for students in social work, medicine, education, and psychology.

Helping Public Authorities

Grants are supporting public authorities in following the UNCRC law. A working group is identifying children most at risk, and regulators are being asked for insights. A report on existing support will be prepared.

CLAN Childlaw’s Work

CLAN Childlaw helps protect children’s rights by offering legal advice and training. They focus on the right to be heard, be a child, have a family, and have a home. Their services have supported 786 professionals and 570 legal cases across Scotland, including rural areas.

Children’s Rights Report 2024

A new report highlights children’s experiences with their rights. While some feel supported, others worry about not being heard and funding cuts to services. Recommendations include better legal protections, raising awareness, and increasing children’s involvement in decisions.

Future of the Group (SIB)

The group will now focus on key decisions, with meetings reduced to every three months. Members will be asked if they want to stay involved, and guidelines will be updated. The board will meet again in April to review the revised Children’s Rights Scheme.