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)
You can find more information on your rights at the websites below:
The Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland is Bruce Adamson. He works with his team to protect the rights of children and young people.
Reach is Enquire’s service for young people and provides advice about your rights to extra support with school.
Who Cares? Scotland are a national voluntary organisation, working with care experienced young people and care leavers across Scotland.
Together is a group of charities who work to improve awareness and understanding of the UNCRC and report on progress. They also support organisations to use the UNCRC in their work.
Article 12 promotes an environment that respects, values and validates young people’s contributions with a focus participation of marginalised groups such as Gypsy/Travellers, care experienced young people and young people with disabilities or experiencing mental ill-health.
Young Scot is the national youth information and citizenship organisation.
The Scottish Youth Parliament is the democratically elected voice of Scotland’s young people.
LGBTI Youth Scotland play a lead role in ensuring LGBTI young people are valued and influential partners in LGBTI equality and human rights.