A new dawn breaks for young Scots as Scotland becomes the first nation to implement the UNCRC

Today, Tuesday 16th July, Scotland begins implementation of the UNCRC Scotland Act. Our CEO, SallyAnn Kelly OBE, shares her thoughts on the importance of the day and what it means for children living in poverty in Scotland.

“Children waking up in Scotland tomorrow will have a louder voice than when they go to bed tonight.

“At one minute past midnight, as they sleep, their lives will become safer and their futures more secure as Scotland becomes the first UK nation to implement the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).

“Across our public life and legal system, this declaration of fundamental rights has potential to be transformative with every young Scot now entitled to a safe, secure childhood.

“It means every child, from every postcode, will have the same guaranteed right to education, health care and a life free of abuse, neglect and exploitation.

“The international charter will mean greater legal protections for all children, including our most vulnerable young Scots.

“Every public body and organisation working on their behalf across Scotland will soon realise the game has irrevocably changed. It is a chance for Scotland to step up.

“Landmark court cases may come but, hopefully, right now all those bodies and third sector organisations whose work touches on the welfare of children are already looking at what they do and how they do it to ensure it meets their new legal responsibilities.

“The rights detailed in the 54 articles of the UNCRC range widely but, taken together, they mean no child should ever experience barriers to education, face discrimination or grow up in poverty.

“In particular, Article 26 details their right to social security while Article 27 enshrines their right to an adequate standard of living, including a safe and secure home.

“The Herald’s recent, revelatory reporting has laid bare the housing emergency in Scotland but the enduring and escalating crisis of child poverty is wider still and even more corrosive.

“Unsafe, cramped and temporary housing undermines the lives and life chances of far too many young Scots but, in every way imaginable, poverty blights the lives of children today and sabotages their futures tomorrow.

“We know the damage inflicted by poverty, on mental health, physical health, educational attainment, and life chances. The evidence is everywhere, the jury is in. We do not need more proof, we need more action.

“There is no more time to spare. Five years ago, the United Nation’s special rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights, Professor Philip Alston, spent time in Scotland before accusing the UK government of the “systematic immiseration of a significant part of the British population.”

“In November, his successor suggested things have got even worse and, today, one in four children in Scotland are growing up in poverty.

“That is not their choice but showing the will and dedicating the resource to help them is a political choice.

“It is about making child poverty an absolute priority, ensuring the best interests of all our children drive policy not financial imperatives, and about transforming warm words into impactful action.

“This United Nations Convention should, must, help improve young lives, and, whatever the forecast, tomorrow will be a good day for Scotland’s children.”

SallyAnn Kelly OBE
Chief Executive of Aberlour Children’s Charity

This article was written for The Herald and published on Tuesday 16th July.