UNCRC Strategic Implementation board minutes: March 2023 - Summary

Attendees and apologies

Members of the Board

• Michael Chalmers (Chair), Director for Children and Families
• Ashleigh Pitcairn on behalf of Kay McCorquodale, Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service
• Ben Farrugia, Social Work Scotland
• Craig Morris, Care Inspectorate
• Dragan Nastic, UNICEF UK
• Eleanor Kerr, Healthcare Improvement Scotland
• Gayle Gorman, Education Scotland
• Gina Wilson, Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland (CYCPS)
• Kay Tisdall, The Observatory for Children’s Human Rights Scotland on behalf of Jennifer Davidson, Institute for Inspiring Children’s Futures
• Laura Pasternak, Coalition of Care and Support Providers (CCPS)
• Margaret Gibb, Parenting Across Scotland
• Margo Williamson, Angus Council representing SOLACE
• Norma Ruettimann, Care and Learning Alliance (CALA)
• Rebekah Cameron-Berry, on behalf of Laura Caven, Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA)

Scottish Government Officials

• Andrew Preston, UNCRC Programme Assistant
• Anna Munro, SGLD
• Carola Eyber, Children’s Rights Reporting and Monitoring Lead
• Caroline McMenemy, Senior Policy Officer
• Dean Snape, UNCRC Project Manager
• Gita Sharkey, Joint Unit Head, Children’s Rights Unit
• Lesleyann Russell, Improvement and Innovation Manager
• Liz Levy, Joint Unit Head, Children’s Rights Unit
• Lyndsey Saki, Embedding Children’s Rights in Public Services Programme Lead
• Paul Gorman, Empowered Children and Young People Lead
• Rachel Nicholson, SGLD
• Shona Spence, UNCRC Bill Lead
• Eilidh Walker, UNCRC Programme Assistant (minutes)

Guests

• Selwyn McCausland, Barnardo’s

Apologies

• Chloe Riddell, The Promise Scotland
• ACC Gary Ritchie, Police Scotland
• Gayle Devlin, Social Security Scotland
• Jennifer Davidson, Institute for Inspiring Children’s Futures
• Juliet Harris, Together Scotland
• Ian Donaldson, Deputy Director for Children’s Rights, Protection and Justice

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.
They support the Government to make the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) part of Scots law.
They put in place support for organisations, children and young people, and their families to help ensure that children’s rights are made real. They discuss if the work is on track and help to resolve any problems 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?

Progress for the Bill

Former Minister, Ms Haughey, wrote to the lead Committee on the two-year anniversary of when the Bill was passed in Parliament and the rights for every child could start progressing. Ms Haughey provided an update on the Scottish Government’s conversations with the UK Government.

The Scottish Government has made clear to the UK Government that the aim is to move towards a review of the Bill soon. They have asked the UK Government if there are any new concerns about the recent changes to the Bill and are waiting on further views.

If the UK Government gives their views and does not have any new concerns, it is hoped that progress towards the reviewing stage can be made ahead of the summer break.

Ms Haughey also wrote an open letter to all Children and Young People (CYP) in Scotland, which has been published on the Scottish Government Participation Blog.

Support for the Launch of the Bill

While work on the Bill continues, the Scottish Government is preparing the rules and guidelines that must be followed to comply with the law.

Work is in progress to create a Children’s Rights Skills and Knowledge Framework. This will provide an easy way for organisations to access new and existing resources and training.

Next Meeting

The next meeting of the SIB will be held on Tuesday 23 May 2023 from 15:30 to 17:00