Children’s
Rights
Introduction
Recognising & Realising
A professional development resource
for adults working with children and young people
CR Introducation.indd 1
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CONTENTS
Section 1 - Introduction and foreword
Section 2 - Presentation notes
Section 3 - Participant booklet
Section 4 - Supporting resources
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MINISTERIAL FOREWORD
We want Scotland to be the best place in the world to grow up.
A place where children’s rights and their wellbeing are placed
at the heart of everything we do.
Wellbeing is an important concept. It is not simply a way of
describing a child’s economic status, health or educational
attainment. Instead, it is about their inclusion in the wider
community, their achievements and whether their views and
voices are respected and heard. Wellbeing captures the range
experiences that children should have in a society which values
them and which properly respects their rights.
Those rights are articulated through the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the
Child (UNCRC) and exist within a broader framework of human rights which extend to
each and every one of us. There is no conflict between the rights of children and other
members of society. However, it is obvious that we have particular responsibilities
towards individuals under the age of 18 which do not extend to others in quite the same
way. The UNCRC helps us to articulate what those responsibilities are and to make clear
to children what they can expect from us. If we can deliver on those expectations then
our children are much more likely to be successful learners, confident individuals,
responsible citizens and effective contributors to our society.
The purpose of this learning resource is to increase awareness and understanding of
children’s rights and the UNCRC and to support you in thinking about the practical steps
you can take to support children in experiencing them. Increasing knowledge of the
UNCRC is key, both amongst children and those working with them. However, equally
as important is the need to translate that knowledge into children’s day to day
experiences.
Ensuring that children are able to participate in decisions within schools and
communities; are supported to exercise their cultural beliefs; and are helped to
understand how they can make rights ‘real’ for other young people. These are just some
examples of how we can bring rights to life.
The resource is not intended to be a step-by-step guide to embedding children’s rights.
Instead, it is designed to facilitate discussion and to support you in evaluating how your
own practice and the approach of your establishment might be enhanced. It also
highlights a host of activities and organisations who can support you along the way. I
hope it is helpful.
!Aileen Campbell MSP
Minister for Children & Young People
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PURPOSE & AIMS
Who is this resource for?
Within the context of new legislation, Aileen Campbell MSP, Minister for Children and
Young People, has commissioned Education Scotland to develop a national professional
development resource for adults working with children and young people.
What does this resource aim to do?
The resource aims to develop participants’ knowledge and understanding of the United
Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) with the purpose of promoting
rights-based values, attitudes, skills and practices among those adults who have a duty
of care for children and young people. Participants will be led through a variety of
activities to explore their current understanding before investigating the need for
children’s rights, the historical development and its relevance to their work with children
and young people. The training resource will allow participants to become familiar with
the articles of the UNCRC and their relevance within Scottish education.
The overall aims of the resource are to:
•
•
•
raise awareness and develop knowledge/understanding of the UNCRC
allow individuals and establishments to self-evaluate their practice in light of
the UNCRC
support improvement planning within establishments
What is contained in the resource?
The interactive training resource includes all the relevant materials to deliver a one-day
programme. This programme will have the greatest impact when delivered within a
single training day, however the materials and the schedule for delivery should be
adapted to suit local needs, capacity and contexts.
The resource comprises:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Introduction and foreword
Presentation notes
Participant booklet
Supporting resources*
*Printing instructions for the activity materials are described in this section. The actual
files are available online, and will require some preparation prior to delivery.
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What will be covered in the training?
The broad components of the training programme include:
•
Welcome and introduction to children’s rights
•
What are rights, and why are they important today?
•
History of children’s rights and the current context
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Familiarisation with the articles of the UNCRC
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Reflection and self-evaluation
•
Next steps, implementation and sharing practice
•
Supporting resources and further reading
Where can I get the resource?
All necessary materials for this resource are available online:
www.educationscotland.gov.uk/resources/r/childrensrightsresource.asp
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