The Commissioner must monitor law, policy and practice that relates to the rights of children and young people, assessing their adequacy and effectiveness.
In carrying out this job the Commissioner must look at a policy, law or decision and assess its impact on children and young people and their rights. As part of this assessment the Commissioner seeks to predict, monitor and, if necessary recommend steps to be taken to avoid or mitigate any negative impact.
Key policy work
Some of the key policy work being undertaken by the Commissioner includes: promoting and safeguarding the rights of asylum-seeking children; promoting and safeguarding the rights of the children of prisoners by reviewing the extent to which the recommendations in the Commissioner’s Not Seen, Not Heard, Not Guilty report have been implemented.
Children's Rights in the Scottish Parliament
The Commissioner seeks to ensure that children’s rights are effectively represented in the Scottish Parliament, commenting and submitting oral and written evidence to Committee’s on Bills and Inquiries that will affect the lives of children and young people.
To inform his work it is imperative that the Commissioner consult with organisations working with and for children and young people.
As part of his overall remit the Commissioner monitors the implementation of the UNCRC in Scotland, and has regard to the provisions of the UNCRC, and to the promotion of equal opportunities, in everything he and his office does.
For further information please contact: (Head of Policy).