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

coe.int

🔴 NEW: Scotland's commissioner for children and young people has called on the government to take urgent action to end the use of unsuitable temporary accommodation for children. Our latest: https://www.theferret.scot/children-commissioner-homeless-accommodation/

🚨 SOLICITOR RECRUITMENT 🚨 This is a fantastic chance for an experienced solicitor to work at the cutting edge of child rights strategic litigation, in an office and a legal team with a proud record of delivering real impact on rights issues. www.cypcs.org.uk/about/legal-...

Solicitor (Full time, Permanent)

The Legal Officer will work in the Commissioner's Advice & Investigations Team, you will provide legal advice on issues relating to children and young people’s rights and will enable effective respons...

cypcs.org.uk

Good to see Ofgem concluding the compliance review that resulted from pressure applied by ourselves and others some three years ago. www.cypcs.org.uk/positions/fu...

Fuel Poverty

Poverty is the most significant human rights issue facing children and young people in Scotland. The Covid pandemic made things worse and now the cost-of-living crisis and rising energy prices have pu...

cypcs.org.uk

End Fuel Poverty Coalition@endfuelpoverty.bsky.social · 3mo ago

British Gas has finally been held to account for the forced prepayment meter scandal. Ofgem found the company knew about failings and still didn’t act. The regulator has said the firm must pay compensation and has been fined. But the story isn’t over... www.endfuelpoverty.org.uk/british-gas-...

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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SFA and Scottish FA give evidence now on rules for child footballers. Our Head of Legal: “The underlying issue here, and it always has been, is that the clubs principally view these children as economic assets...SFA has made rules which are in the interests of clubs and not of the children.”

New research by our office, SAMH & YoungScot shows not enough is being done on mental health. The Scottish Government accepted Youth Commission on Mental Health Services recommendations, but 6 years on, lack of transparency means young people feel little progress & change. Read more: bit.ly/3KhwSUD

From Scotland to Geneva! Our Young Advisor Robert took children’s voices to the UN on the #RightToEducation, speaking as 1 of only 5 children invited globally 🌎 — a first for UN treaty-drafting. What was it like? Read his blog: bit.ly/3IdsYvB

Tomorrow @parliament.scot debates the SPCB Landscape Review and we welcome the Committee’s report and scrutiny which has reasserted the value and ongoing need for the office of the Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland. Read our full briefing: www.cypcs.org.uk/resources/sp...

SPCB Supported Bodies Landscape Review Committee Debate

The Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland briefing ahead of the SPCB Supported Bodies Landscape Review Committee Debate taking place on 18 September 2025.

cypcs.org.uk

Good to see @blairmcdougall.com introducing a 10 minute bill to remove crown immunity from SPS. Our office has been calling on UK and Scottish govts to progress this since 2022. Statements here: shorturl.at/TaPWJ shorturl.at/z5SeO

Family backs bill to prosecute prisons for custody deaths

Labour MP Blair McDougall is calling for Crown immunity in UK prison estates to be abolished.

bbc.co.uk

Today is the first anniversary of UNCRC incorporation into Scots law. Having children’s rights in law is a huge milestone but it’s just one step. We’ll keep holding people in power to account so every child in Scotland can have their rights respected, protected, and fulfilled.

We've responded to the Scottish Parliament's Education, Children & Young People Committee's Call for Views on Daniel Johnson MSP's members bill on restraint and seclusion in schools in Scotland. www.cypcs.org.uk/resources/re...

Restraint and Seclusion in Schools (Scotland) Bill

July 2025. We submitted written Stage 1 evidence to the Education, Children and Young People Committee to express our support for Daniel Johnson MSP’s members bill on restraint and seclusion

cypcs.org.uk

Important piece in yesterday's Sunday Post showing why legislation on restraint is so crucial. We've been calling for statutory provision for 5+ years now. Good to see the govt (finally) offering its support. Huge credit to the parent campaigners who've driven this. @bethmorrison.bsky.social

Children have the right to education – but too many Care Experienced children are being let down @cypcs.bsky.social asked Who Cares? Scotland to look at education & what must change Their findings echo their own report - system doesn’t work for all #UNCRCScotland buff.ly/mQgwYYA

Thanks to the 6000 + children who joined us for our #InternationalDayofPlay assembly today with e-Sgoil. Special thanks to the amazing children from Windsor Park who shared what they like to do to exercise their right to play, rest & relax😎. ENJOY! Read more: bit.ly/3HC61l5

Commissioner’s online assembly is child’s play!

Thousands of children enjoyed a play time with a difference – at a special online assembly with the Children’s Commissioner to mark UN International Day of Play.

bit.ly

📣 JUSTICE is looking for its next two Legal Fellows, generously funded by @Linklaters LLP! Fellows assist our legal team on key projects -researching legal reform, reviewing draft legislation, and supporting third-party interventions. Learn more here: bit.ly/3GYpMTB

Important new research on deaths in custody and detention in Scotland. Fundamental concerns about investigations, learning & accountability and lack of support for bereaved people. @thesccjr.bsky.social. ://www.sccjr.ac.uk/news_item/new-study-reveals-record-numbers-are-dying-in-scottish-prisons/

New Study Reveals Record Numbers are Dying in Scottish Prisons - SCCJR

A major new research study has found the number of people dying in prison has surged to a record number […]

sccjr.ac.uk

UK Commissioners call for equal protection for all UK children. Scotland was first to ban physical punishment; as did Wales. Children in England & N Ireland are still not protected. All children deserve the same protection from violence as adults. Statement: bit.ly/4jAwgXh

Young Advisor Robert blogs on e-Sgoil's Study Support. Our report makes recommendations to improve the education system, including urging Scottish Government to invest more in virtual school models. Robert reveals how he benefited from Study Support. Blog: bit.ly/4lWaTRO Report: bit.ly/3RsP6mt

"Study Support sessions with e-Sgoil were great - it was a very flexible way of learning"

Exam season has started for young people in Scotland, and Robert, 16, shares how he prepared for his exams last year by using e-Sgoil's Study Support programme.

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Young footballers deserve protection from exploitation But the organisation with the power to investigate and take action against clubs is reduced to writing a letter This is nowhere near good enough

Watchdog to write to clubs about youth football deals

The UK's competition watchdog will write to Scotland's professional clubs to remind them of their legal obligations when registering child footballers.

bbc.co.uk

Teens experiencing homelessness whose school attendance is disrupted will still qualify for EMA from 2025-26 — a vital step after our report exposed the link between homelessness and education. But with 10,360 kids in temp housing, there’s more to do. #HousingEmergency 🔗 shelterscotland.org/EMA25

📃 Our new report shows what must change in education to make rights real for every child. Our recommendations include support for the workforce, like this innovative work in @highland.gov.uk & @moraycouncil.bsky.social. Well supported adults means better supported children. Report: bit.ly/3RsP6mt

Commissioner highlights support programme for headteachers with positive impact on children’s rights

Headteachers in the Highlands and Moray are making the most of an innovative support programme – and children are reaping the benefits too.   School…

vimeo.com

📢 Commissioner: “Education reform’s glacial pace and wrong focus fails children.” ALL children have the right to an education that develops their personality, talents and abilities. 📘 Read our new report calling for substantial, urgent reform: bit.ly/3RsP6mt

Deeply concerning and sadly reflects what we've found in our own work in this area. For instance see our children's rights report on hotel-type accommodation from 2023 which draws on work by Prof Helen Ball from @durhamanthropology.bsky.social

Helen Bamber Foundation 🧡@helenbamber.org · last yr.

The experiences in this story are horrific but not uncommon. Our clinicians have repeatedly warned that the squalid conditions and substandard food in asylum hotels are causing profound harm to the men, women and children placed there. This MUST change. www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home...

🌟 Thank you to the thousands of children who joined our assembly today! 🎉 We loved celebrating #InternationalDayOfHappiness with you, exploring the right to good mental health in the #UNCRC and sharing what makes us smile. Keep laughing! 🤣

Spreading joy – thousands of children join Commissioner’s happiness assembly

Children had a laugh together celebrating UN International Day of Happiness at a special online assembly.   Children’s Commissioner Nicola Killean hosted the BSL-interpreted assembly for primary-aged ...

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🚍 Our Young Advisors have been in schools with us, hearing directly from children about their experiences of education. What they found? Young people want & have ideas for change — & they must be involved in education decision-making. 🎬 Watch the full film: bit.ly/4laRDzF

Children have the right to protection from all forms of abuse or harm, in all aspects of their lives. Statement: Commissioner supports Daniel Johnson's Bill on restraint and seclusion in education settings and urges the Scottish Government to go further. bit.ly/3FDgH1R

Fantastic to see Daniel Johnson MSP’s Restraint & Seclusion Bill introduced to the parliament. The result of years of campaigning by so many people. Huge credit to all who fought so hard for it. It’s important now that parliamentarians and govt support its principles and make sure it progresses.