Today marks two years since the UNCRC (Incorporation) (Scotland) Act 2024 came into force, enshrining children’s rights in law and giving our office new powers. Head of Legal, Nick Hobbs, explains how we’re using them, what has changed and why children’s rights need defending. Read: bit.ly/4vS2bI5

This report reflects many of the Commissioner's continued concerns. Scottish Government must consider carefully all the recommendations and take forward any necessary action to ensure that children's rights are fully respected and protected. www.coe.int/en/web/cpt/-...

Council of Europe anti-torture Committee publishes report on the United Kingdom, focusing on police and prisons in Scotland - CPT - www.coe.int

02/07/2026

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We’re disappointed the UK Government has announced its intention to ban children under 16 from social media. Evidence doesn’t currently show a blanket ban would make children safer online, and it may inadvertently push them to riskier parts of the internet. Full statement: bit.ly/4vcr7du

Statement: Children’s Commissioner reacts to UK Government announcement on social media

The Children's Commissioner reacts to a proposed social media ban for under-16s, and says it will not make them safer online.

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👩‍⚖️ We’re looking for a Solicitor to join our bold team! This is an exciting and unique opportunity to use your legal skills to help promote, protect and defend the human rights of every child in Scotland. Apply: bit.ly/4afdMZy

Two weeks to go until our online assembly on discrimination with e-Sgoil for primary-aged children, with BSL interpretation. Meet amazing girl footballers who challenged discrimination, and Scotland's only World Cup winner! Join us at 9.30am on April 24! bit.ly/4uq503B

Our second Shoogle Lab continues to shake up education! Young people, the Commissioner, Prof Laura Lundy & education leaders worked together online to look at feedback and accountability in the system to ultimately improve delivery of children’s rights. More: bit.ly/4t7Kgfd

Feedback and accountability are the focus in Commissioner’s second Shoogle Lab

Children's Commissioner hosts the second Shoogle Lab event with Young Advisors, Professor Laura Lundy, and education leaders.

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Watch our BSL video telling you all about our next online assembly for primary-aged children, focussing on discrimination. Meet a young football team who challenged unfair treatment and Scotland's only World Cup winner, and learn about rights. Join us at 9.30am on April 24! vimeo.com/1172526683

Children's Commissioner's online assembly in April

BSL video about the Children and Young People's Commissioner's online assembly for primary-aged children on 24 April 2026.

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The countdown is on to our online assembly on discrimination with e-Sgoil for primary-aged children, with BSL interpretation. Meet amazing girl footballers who challenged discrimination, and Scotland's only World Cup winner! See you at 9.30am on April 24! bit.ly/4uq503B

We’re delighted the Scottish Parliament has passed Calum’s Law on Restraint in schools. Incredible campaigning by Beth, Kate and & leadership shown by Daniel Johnson MSP, who brought the bill. More: bit.ly/4bPkwxf

Statement: Children's Commissioner celebrates Restraint and Seclusion Bill passing

Nicola Killean welcomes new legislation to protect children's rights...but warns more needs to be done whenever children are in the care of the State.

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Children have the right to education – but those whose parents are in the Armed Forces aren’t getting the support they need. We asked @forceschildscot.bsky.social to look at the issues. Their findings mirror the Commissioner’s call for systemic change. More: bit.ly/4bpBoKH

Children from Forces families denied full right to education, says new report

Charity Forces Children Scotland produces a report for the Children's Commissioner about Forces children's experiences of education, and makes recommendations.

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Join us for an online assembly on discrimination with e-Sgoil for primary-aged children, with BSL interpretation. Meet amazing girl footballers who challenged discrimination, and Scotland's only World Cup winner! See you at 9.30am on April 24! bit.ly/4uq503B

Commissioner Nicola Killean responds to a new report by the Mental Welfare Commission into the treatment of children at Skye House, and says she is still extremely concerned by potential rights breaches, including around the use of restraint. Statement: bit.ly/4cBd8re

Statement: Commissioner responds to report on care at Skye House

Commissioner Nicola Killean's response to a new report by the Mental Welfare Commission into care of children.

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It's #SaferInternetDay & this year's theme focuses on AI. We know AI brings opportunities but rights must be protected and children should be given tools and skills to use AI, and be active participants in discussions around it. Statement: bit.ly/4ksrThV

Safer Internet Day 2026: AI brings opportunities but rights protections are crucial

It's Safer Internet Day 2026 and this year's theme is "Smart tech, safe choices - exploring the safe and responsible use of AI." Commissioner Nicola Killean supports the campaign and reflects on the r...

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⏰ Just days left to apply! Are you 12–16 and want to help shape decisions affecting children & young people in Scotland? 🌟 Join our Young Advisors 🤝 Monthly meet-ups (online & in person) 💳 Expenses paid 🧏‍♀️ Open to all backgrounds & accessibility needs 🗓 Apply by 1 Feb 👉 bit.ly/4p2tz2r

Education is a human right — and children’s views must be at the heart of how it’s delivered. This #InternationalDayOfEducation, we’re sharing how we’ve been working alongside children and young people to shape education reform and create a system that works for all. Read: bit.ly/49zQnCi

Education isn’t just about lessons and exams — it’s about how children feel in school. Young Advisor Elsie’s blog for #InternationalDayOfEducation reflects on why feeling safe and supported matters to ensuring the right to education is realised every day. Elsie's Blog: bit.ly/3ZxjMqE

Plenty time left to apply! ⏰ Join our Young Advisors! 🌟Are you aged 12–16 and want to make a difference for children & young people in Scotland? 🤝Meet monthly (online & in person) 💳Expenses paid ✨No experience needed 🧏‍♀️All backgrounds & accessibility needs welcome Apply by 1 Feb 👉 bit.ly/4p2tz2r

Now recruiting! - Become a Young Advisor to the Commissioner

Our group of Young Advisors needs new members – and it’s an exciting role that makes a big difference to children’s rights in Scotland.

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🌟 Join our Young Advisors! 🌟Are you aged 12–16 and want to make a difference for children & young people in Scotland? 🤝Meet monthly (online & in person) 💳Expenses paid ✨No experience needed 🧏‍♀️All backgrounds & accessibility needs welcome Apply by 1 Feb 👉 bit.ly/4p2tz2r

🎉 Ready for something new in 2026? Become a Young Advisor (ages 12–16) & work with the Commissioner to help make sure children’s voices are heard across Scotland. ✨ Learn new skills ✨ All backgrounds & accessibility needs welcome ✨ Make a difference Apply: bit.ly/4p2tz2r

We wish you season's greetings. Please note our office is closed over Christmas (from Wednesday, 24 December, 2024, and reopening on Monday, 5 January, 2026). We will not be able to respond to any enquiries during this period and inboxes/voicemail will not be monitored.

Want to make a big difference to children’s rights in Scotland? We’re looking for passionate 12-16 year olds to join our Young Advisors. Work with the Commissioner – no experience needed, expenses paid, support given, & fun guaranteed! Apply: bit.ly/4p2tz2r

Happy Human Rights Day! This year's theme celebrates the connection between rights and happiness. Children have told us about the essentials in life that make them happy. More here: bit.ly/3Mv7Rqe #HumanRightsDay #OurEverydayRights

And that’s a wrap! Today’s #ShoogleLab has come to an end – huge thanks to our Young Advisors & everyone else who took part. Our work around children’s right to be listened to has been thought-provoking, powerful, exciting, and is starting to shake up the education system.

The #ShoogleLab is shaking things up! Our Young Advisors have been working with education leaders, experts & the incredible @dameevelynglennie.bsky.social to try to improve the education system — asking challenging questions about why it's important to listen to children.

The day has finally arrived! We’re all set for our first #ShoogleLab. We’re bringing together children, Dame Evelyn Glennie, Prof Laura Lundy & people in power to shake up education. Let’s go!

Excited to welcome Dame Evelyn Glennie, Prof Laura Lundy & education leaders tomorrow. Education is one of our priorities, & listening to children boosts learning, wellbeing & confidence. Tomorrow, our Shoogle Lab explores building this into every school. More: bit.ly/3Y4J5zJ

Ending the two-child cap is a positive step — it will help lift children out of poverty. But with 1 in 4 children in Scotland already in poverty, much more is needed. Scottish & UK governments must align strategies & centre children’s experiences & voices. Statement: bit.ly/48eexjO

Not long to go! We’re meeting education leaders soon and we want primary children’s voices at the heart of the conversation. Get your shoogle on and help us shake up education. Take part by the end of 27 Nov: bit.ly/44j2ZKS

Brilliant Saturday with our Young Advisors — some soon to be first-time voters — exploring elections & shaping questions for our session with education leaders next month. You can have your say too. Take part in our Shoogle Lab activities by 27 Nov: bit.ly/44j2ZKS

♥️Huge thanks to the thousands who joined our #WorldChildrensDay assembly with eSgoil! Primary classes can still have their say: try our Shoogle Lab activities and send views by 27 Nov to shape our session with education leaders next month. Take part: bit.ly/44kmyCq