The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child

All educators in Scotland are committed to upholding and promoting the rights of learners. This is supported by professional standards and the incorporation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) into Scots Law. The Bill ensures that children’s rights are respected and protected by law. Public authorities are legally required to respect and protect children’s rights in all the work that they do.

Visit our children's rights page for the latest news, events and resources.

Protecting children’s rights

The UNCRC describes what every child, from birth to 18-years-old, needs to survive, grow and thrive in order to live with dignity and achieve their potential. Protecting children’s rights is at the heart of the Scottish Government’s agenda, in order that every child feels empowered to be active citizens in their early learning and childcare setting, school, local community and across the world.

Children’s rights in Scotland

In Scotland:

• every child has the same rights, whatever their ethnicity, gender, religion, language, abilities or status
• children do not need to earn their rights and the rights do not come with responsibilities
• the governments have to make sure that all children can enjoy all their rights
• people in authority should think about children’s rights when making decisions that affect them
• the best interests of the child should be a primary consideration in all decisions and actions that affect children
• we recognise the important role played by parents, carers and family members in ensuring children grow up healthy, happy and safe
• all children should have the right to express their views in matters affecting them and for their views to be taken into account
• we have a Children and Young People’s Commissioner whose job it is to protect and promote children’s rights
• there is support for children and their representatives to raise concerns if their rights are not being respected