Together (Scottish Alliance for Children’s Rights)’s new State of Children’s Rights Report explores babies’, children and young people’s experiences of their rights through their own words, artwork and other means of expression. These ‘stories’ offer a picture of life in Scotland in the year that it incorporated the UNCRC into law.
Over 200 babies, children and young people have shared their powerful stories of what life is like for them.
The publication marks one year since the Scottish Parliament unanimously passed the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) (Scotland) Act 2024. This historic legislation made Scotland the first devolved nation to incorporate the UNCRC into domestic law.
The report captures the stories of babies, children and young people, aged nine months to 17 years through words, artwork, film and other creative expressions, providing a vivid snapshot of childhood in Scotland today. It explores children’s experiences at home, in nurseries, schools, colleges, communities and online, showcasing where their rights are upheld and where progress is still urgently needed.
Key findings reveal significant variation in children’s experiences and overall satisfaction with life in Scotland. Stories from children living in poverty, disabled children, asylum-seeking children, young carers and Care Experienced children all reveal a sense that adults must do more to fully uphold their rights. The stories highlight that experiences vary widely within these groups, cautioning against approaches that oversimplify their often complex experiences.
Children and young people identify critical areas where urgent action is needed, including poverty, discrimination, climate change and tackling violence. Many express frustration at persistent barriers to their rights and stress the importance of both adults and children being aware of those rights. Without this awareness, the transformational potential of the UNCRC Act cannot be fully realised. Children want to be actively involved in shaping the decisions that affect their lives, ensuring their views are heard, their unique needs understood and their rights upheld.
One young person, aged 15, who took part in the research said:
‘If they think life is easy, it’s not – there can be lots of challenges. Life is like a rollercoaster, it’s like a video game and each year that you get older is like reaching a different level, there are different good things and different bad things and it’s never the same.”
Eva, age 17 from Glasgow, who took part in the research said:
“I hope that this report helps to educate adults and policy makers about what it is like to be a young person in Scotland so they can make positive changes to help us.
One thing I would want adults to know about what life is like for young people is that although we try very hard to make a difference we are often not taken seriously and our opinions are not respected in the way that we would want.
One key thing that I think government should do next is to include young people in more policy making and campaigns, especially those affecting them, as we would be able to advise directly about the issues and problems we face.”
Ellie Craig MSYP, Chair of the Scottish Youth Parliament, said:
“The launch of Together’s new State of Children’s Rights Report comes at a crucial time for children’s rights in Scotland ahead of the first anniversary for the UNCRC Scotland Act passing unanimously! It is fantastic to see children and young people’s voices at the very centre of this report, highlighting their own lived experiences on the issues that impact them.
As Together identify in the report – despite the success of UNCRC incorporation there is still a gap between promises made and the reality for many babies, children, and young people. However, the evidence in this report provides the key information campaigners and decision makers need to make the changes needed to turn Scotland into the best place in the world to grow up.”
Juliet Harris, Director of Together, said:
“Our report highlights the progress Scotland has made in the first year of the UNCRC Act and the potential for it to transform children’s lives. However, it also shows that much more needs to be done to ensure children’s rights are fully upheld. While the Scottish Government has taken important steps forward, this report is a clear call for all adults – decision-makers, professionals and communities – to take action. By listening to children, understanding their experiences, and addressing persistent issues they tell us about, we can make children’s rights a reality for every child in Scotland.”