UNCRC Strategic Implementation Board minutes: September 2024 - summary

A summary of the minutes from the Strategic Implementation board meeting.


Attendees and apologies

  • Ian Donaldson, Deputy Director (Deputising for Andrew Watson)
  • Dragan Nastic, UNICEF UK
  • Lucinda Rivers, UNICEF UK
  • Juliet Harris, Together Scotland
  • Amy Woodhouse, Parenting Across Scotland
  • Eleanor Kerr, Healthcare Improvement Scotland
  • Nicola Anderson, Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service
  • Norma Ruettiman, Care and Learning Alliance
  • Laura Caven, COSLA
  • Jennifer Davidson, Institute for Inspiring Children’s Futures
  • Craig Morris, Care Inspectorate
  • Gina Wilson, Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland (CYCPS)
  • Michael Cameron, Scottish Housing Regulator
  • Andrew Montgomery, Social Security Scotland (Deputising for Helen Fogarty)
  • Heather Robertson, Education Scotland (Deputising for David Gregory)
  • CI Elaine Tomlinson, Police Scotland (Depuitising for ACC Catriona Paton)

Scottish Government supporting officials 

  • Dean Snape, UNCRC Project Manager
  • Andrew Preston, UNCRC Programme Assistant
  • Liz Levy, Joint Unit Head, Children’s Rights Unit
  • Joe Smith, Rights Reporting and Monitoring Programme Lead
  • Paul Gorman, Empowering Children and Young People Programme Lead
  • Lyndsey Saki, Embedding Children’s Rights in Public Services Programme Lead
  • Rachel Cieciwa, Children’s Rights, Reporting and Monitoring
  • Kavita Chetty, Deputy Director Human Rights Division and Mainstreaming
  • Sarah Booth, Scottish Government Legal Directorate

Guests

  • Charlie Fairley, Corra Foundation

Apologies

  • Andrew Watson, Director for Children and Families
  • Helen Fogarty, Social Security Scotland
  • Laura Pasternak, Who Cares? Scotland
  • Chloe Riddell, The Promise
  • Ben Farrugia, Social Work Scotland
  • Gita Sharkey, Joint Unit Head, Children’s Rights Unit

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 two months.  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 fix 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?

Highlight report

A member of SIB noted the Programme Highlight Report was shared on 18 September 2024, and revised to reflect the new Children’s Rights Unit (CRU) business plan. Some projects were paused due to new spending controls in the Scottish Government.

Another member explained the impact of these controls, hoping to restart some projects once restrictions are lifted. They are also looking for alternative solutions for others.

One member praised the published resources, but raised concerns about delays in the Children’s Rights Skills & Knowledge Framework. They asked for a timeline, as public bodies are eager to use it. The CRU confirmed the interactive version would be delayed, but a PDF version should be available by the end of the year.

A member raised concerns about pausing work on raising awareness for at-risk groups. They asked if other methods were being explored, and the CRU clarified that existing resources are being used creatively to support these groups.

Another member asked about the Parenting Leaflet. The CRU confirmed it is still being updated, with publication expected later this year.

Support for Public Authorities

A member updated the group on the Innovation Fund, which supports public authorities in embedding children’s rights. Eight projects were approved in 2023, covering areas like local government, health, and justice. The funded projects will end in December, with lessons learned shared after completion.

A representative from the Corra Foundation shared highlights from the funded projects, including initiatives from various councils to support children’s rights in different sectors.

One member asked how the learning from these projects will be shared long-term. The Corra Foundation confirmed a final report will be produced, with important lessons shared.

Scottish Government spending controls

A member shared an update on the Scottish Government’s spending controls, which have paused several projects, including the interactive version of the Skills & Knowledge Framework. Other paused projects include a booklet for parents, a social media campaign, and recruitment for a PhD intern.

A member asked how projects will be prioritized once funding becomes available. Decisions will be made once the budget for next year is clearer.

Another member congratulated the CRU on the progress with Children’s Rights and Wellbeing Impact Assessments and asked if the training would continue. The CRU confirmed that the training will continue, and they aim to expand their capacity.

Future of SIB

A member noted that the SIB has been in place longer than planned and suggested it might be time to reconsider its role. The group has been valuable in ensuring transparent and effective decision-making, but there is some overlap with other groups.

One member suggested that SIB’s role could expand to include policy representatives from across the government to take a whole-government approach.

Members agreed to take more time to consider these questions and provide feedback by the end of October.

Risk register

A member provided an update on the programme’s risk register. No new risks were raised at this time.

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