United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) Bill

Last Thursday the reconsidered United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) Bill was passed unanimously by MSPs at the Scottish Parliament. This means that, after a long-delayed process, the UNCRC will finally be incorporated into Scots law. This is a huge step towards making rights real for all children and young people across Scotland.

In our organisational strategy, Being Brave, we made the commitment that Aberlour will “work relentlessly to ensure that the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child is fully embedded in law and is visible across our organisation and obvious in what we do and how we work with children, young people and their families.” Through our influencing work, and alongside many other organisations, Aberlour has campaigned to see the UNCRC incorporated into law. Most importantly we have been able to elevate and amplify the voices of our own children and young people in this work to make sure they have been heard. Securing children and young people’s human rights in law through UNCRC incorporation is what many of our children and young people have been clear must happen.

Chief Executive, SallyAnn Kelly OBE says: “As we look towards 2024 the work of implementing UNCRC in practice must continue at pace. I am proud to see the incredible work that goes on every day in Aberlour to make sure that the rights of our children and young people are respected, protected and fulfilled. However, the new UNCRC legislation does place further duties on organisations that work with children, young people and their families, including Aberlour, to make sure their rights are being supported and promoted in practice. Therefore, our Senior Leadership Team will take time to consider what more we need to do as an organisation to ensure we are compliant with these new duties.

“This will mean strengthening the foundation of children’s rights practice that is already established at Aberlour. In the coming months we will set out our plans for any new initiatives and work required to support all of our colleagues to feel confident in what UNCRC means in practice across all of our roles and functions, and how it informs and guides our work as an organisation.

“Thanks to all our Trustees, staff and volunteers for the work they already do in making Aberlour a place where children and young people’s rights are real and visible every day.”