If you have heard the message of the Forces Children’s Rights Charter, you will recognise its call to action. In the words of Cadence, one of the young people who helped create the charter: “This is more than a document; it’s a representation of our ideas, stories, and vision for the future. It’s a message that forces kids deserve fairness, recognition, and support.”
The Forces Children’s Rights Charter is a declaration that spans all areas of life, outlining ten key provisions necessary for babies, children and young people from Regular, Reservist and Veteran families to lead happy, healthy lives. The Charter is rooted in freedoms enshrined to all children by the UN Convention on the Rights of a Child (UNCRC).
The Rights Charter is a call-to-action for all adults whose actions directly or indirectly affect the lives of forces children. No matter whether you work in the military, the children’s sector, or elsewhere you can carry forward its message.
In doing so, you will:
Make systemic change. The Charter identifies concrete measures that can be implemented to ensure the safety, wellbeing and growth of children, such as access to mental health support, smooth school transitions, and safe, stable homes.
As a Rights Charter Defender, you’ll:
Embed the Charter into your daily life and your organisation’s policies, processes and practices, ensuring children’s rights are considered throughout.
Advocate proactively by speaking up for the needs of forces children and implementing the Charter in initiatives across your sector.
Support the meaningful engagement and participation of children and young people in decision-making, in line with the Charter’s call that their voices are taken seriously.
By embracing and defending the Forces Children’s Rights Charter, you will contribute to:
Better-informed decisions, where the unique aspects of forces life are understood by decision-makers.
Greater support that enables children and young people to access the help they need, when they need it.
Empowered communities and a local and national culture where rights are respected and forces children and families feel seen, heard and valued.
Sign up below to pledge your support for the Forces Children’s Rights Charter.
By submitting this form, you are agreeing to being contacted by Forces Children Scotland (operating name of the Royal Caledonian Education Trust) in line with our Privacy Policy.
Everyone has a role to play in bringing about the vision put forward by children and young people in the Charter. We need defenders in all walks of life, including the military, education, social work, research, third sector funding and political decision-making. On this page, you’ll find concise and practical guides, here to help you incorporate the Charter into your life and career.
Top tips
Show your support for forces children’s rights by placing the rights badge in your professional email signature.
Add this banner to your website and other communications to demonstrate your awareness and commitment to the Rights Charter.
Here are posters and resources for introducing the Charter and starting a rights-based dialogue with children and young people of all ages.
