What are Rights?
Everybody has rights. Rights are about making sure all people are treated well and get a fair deal. They set out what type of things must be put in place for this to happen. Children and young people’s rights are also human rights, but there are other rights children and young people have too. The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (or UNCRC) lists these rights.
Rights in the UNCRC (known as Articles) include the right to an education, to good quality health care, the right to relax and play, and rights to be protected from being hurt or badly treated.
Article 12 of the UNCRC says that every child and young person has a human right to have an opinion. It says children and young people’s opinions matter and should be considered when people make decisions about things that involve them. It also says children and young people should be given any information they need to make good decisions.
Article 12 applies everywhere and to everyone, no matter what age, race, gender, or ability!
Aberdeenshire Council’s Children’s Rights Officers help children and young people understand their rights when looked after or living away from home. Find out more and visit the Children’s Rights Service page.
Scotland’s Young Inclusion Ambassadors created a film which helps professionals understand how to support young people with additional support needs and make sure their views are heard.
‘Ask Us, Hear Us, Include Us!’ Young Ambassadors for Inclusion make their own film.
The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
(A one page summary of the Articles 1 – 45)