Whole School Approach to Racism and Racist Incidents - child rights and wellbeing impact assessment

Conclusion

7. As a result of the evidence gathered and analysed against all UNCRC requirements, what is the potential overall impact of this proposal on children’s rights?

Positive

8. If you have identified a positive impact on children’s rights, please describe below how the proposal will protect, respect, and fulfil children’s rights in Scotland.

The intended effect of the guidance is to support schools to develop robust, whole-school approaches to addressing racism and racist incidents, and to enhance children and young people’s experience of education, particularly children and young people who experience racism, aligned to their right to education (Article 28). It is established via evidence, that inconsistent or ineffective responses to incidents of racism harms the wellbeing of children and young people and can lead to a feeling of distrust between children and young people and their families, and schools. The guidance is respectful of children’s rights and encourages that their views are sought as part of a school’s approach to racist incidents.

Any child or young person can be affected by racism in school, whether they are adversely racialised or not. Recurring or unaddressed racist incidents may create a perception that prejudice, disrespect, and racism will be tolerated. This may increase the risk of bullying for all students and lead to a reluctance to report incidents.

Positive impact is therefore assessed in relation to the best interests of the child (Article 3), respect for the views of the child (Article 12), right to education (Article 28), the right to protection from all forms of violence and discrimination (Articles 2 and 19), and the right to an education which develops respect for human rights and prepares children for responsible life in a free society (Article 29).

Otherwise, the guidance is considered to have a neutral effect.

9. If a negative impact has been identified please describe it below. Is there a risk this could potentially amount to an incompatibility?

There are no negative impacts established and therefore it is not considered at risk of incompatibility.

Mitigation Record

What options have been considered to modify the proposal in order to mitigate a negative impact or potential incompatibility?

N/a

10. As a result of the evidence gathered and analysed against all wellbeing indicators, will the proposal contribute to the wellbeing of children and young people in Scotland?

Safe: Yes

Healthy: Not Applicable

Achieving: Yes

Nurtured: Yes

Active: Not Applicable

Respected: Yes

Responsible: Not Applicable

Included: Yes

Yes.

Evidence demonstrates the potential harm of a lack of robust responses to incidents of racism in schools. All children and young people benefit from a school environment in which prejudice, disrespect and racism are not tolerated. This particularly applies to the indicators Safe, Achieving, Nurtured, Respected and Included.

11. How will you communicate to children and young people the impact that the proposal will have on their rights?

The effect on children and young people’s rights will arise as a result of local approaches to address racism and racist incidents in schools. The guidance confirms the need to engage the whole-school community in the preparation of these approaches, and to consider the voices of children and young people when developing school policies and procedures. The guidance and the CRWIA will be made publicly available. Those wishing to access it can do so, to understand the aims of the guidance and potential for this guidance to be implemented effectively by schools, which in turn may positively impact their rights as assessed above.