Gary Seath 1 week ago
Robyn tells us more about how it’s proved a busy time for policy and influencing with the launch of our children’s rights report, following the incorporation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) into Scots law, and provides a look ahead to what’s next.
“I would say it’s been rewarding, exciting, fast-paced.”
“As Policy and Parliamentary Officer, I get to be a part of lots of exciting things. A big part of my job is keeping up to date with the latest research and policy updates. Although it can be a lot of reading and writing, it is really fun to stay engaged with all that is happening. I also support other people in the organisation by giving information and updates that are relevant to their line of work.
Another great aspect of my role is in amplifying the voices of children and young people to decision makers. This includes local councilors, MSPs and even Scottish Government Ministers. To do this, I work closely with the Participation team so I can be involved in gathering the voices of children and young people when I can.”
“The report was really exciting! We consulted over 150 children and young people and worked more intensely with eight young people to gather their lived experiences regarding their rights. It was a really intense effort and Meg and I wrote the report following on from these activities. I believe it is one of the first reports looking at children’s rights for this group, so it has been really intriguing and thought-provoking.
Many children and young people understood some of their rights, but others sometimes didn’t understand how they may apply to them or what they really mean in the context of their lives. It was great being able to speak with children and young people about their rights and convey the challenges they face.”
“It has been going really well! We have had meetings with MSPs and with other decision-makers coming up. We were even able to set up a meeting with the Minister for Children, Young People, and The Promise with six young people.
It was a really good meeting, and the young people were able to articulate the challenges they face in armed forces and veteran families. We have had some great follow-up from the Minister and hope to keep building on this connection.”
Has there been any further highlights over the past six months?
“Working more closely with the wider team has been a highlight. In policy, sometimes it is easy to be in your own silo but recently we have made sure to work more closely with the Participation team especially which only enhances our calls to decision-makers. This has meant that I have heard directly from children and young people myself which helps when I speak to decision makers.”
“Currently, we are looking to coproduce a Rights Charter with children and young people to get policy makers and those who work with this group to sign up and advocate for their rights. This is really exciting as we want more decision-makers to commit to upholding this group’s rights and be accountable to children and young people.
We are excited to coproduce this and have a resource that children and young people can take to the adults in their lives and ask for this commitment from them. We hope to engage not only policy makers, but schools and other institutions children and young people engage with.”
Find out more by visiting our policy and influencing and policy webpage.
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