Forces Children Scotland 3 hours ago
Inverclyde Council has today become the first local authority in Scotland to endorse the Forces Children’s Rights Charter, marking a milestone in strengthening the rights of children from Armed Forces families in Inverclyde.
A motion tabled by Inverclyde Armed Forces and Veterans Champion, Cllr Graeme Brooks, at today’s full council meeting welcomed the contribution made by Armed Forces families within Inverclyde and highlighted that children from Armed Forces families can experience “unique challenges arising from high mobility, parental deployment, separation, and transitions between schools and communities”.
The Forces Children’s Rights Charter is a rights-based framework founded on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). It was created by Forces Children Scotland in partnership with children and young people from Armed Forces families. It sets out what children from military families believe they need in order to have their rights respected, protected and supported.
Cllr Brooks called on his council colleagues to endorse the charter, emphasising its importance in “recognising the rights of children and young people from regular, reservist and veteran families”.
It has now been adopted by the local authority after the motion by Cllr Brooks was unanimously backed at a full council meeting on Thursday 11 June 2026.
Councillor Graeme Brooks (Inverclyde) & FCS CEO, Steven Sweeney at the Armed Forces Champions Gathering
Commenting after the meeting Inverclyde Armed Forces Champion Cllr Graeme Brooks said:
“I welcome the contribution made by Armed Forces families within Inverclyde and it’s important to highlight that children from Armed Forces families can experience unique challenges arising from high mobility, parental deployment, separation, and transitions between schools and communities.
“The charter emphasises the importance in recognising the rights of children and young people from regular, reservist and veteran families.
“I’d like to thank my council colleagues for unanimously endorsing the charter and once again making sure Inverclyde is leading the way in our support for our Armed Forces and their families.”
Commenting, Chief Executive Officer of Forces Children Scotland, Steven Sweeney, said:
“I’m delighted that Inverclyde Council has today become the first local authority in Scotland to endorse the Forces Children’s Rights Charter. To use the words of one of our young people from Armed Forces families, the charter is a representation of their ‘ideas, stories and vision for the future’.
“I’d especially like to thank Cllr Graeme Brooks for working with us to ensure that children and young people from Armed Forces families are seen and respected.
“They are a group in society whose voices are seldom heard, and the council’s decision to endorse the charter demonstrates its commitment to ensuring they are given the best possible start in life.
“We look forward to continuing our work with the local authority and Cllr Brooks to ensure the aims of the charter are realised.”
Cllr Wilson, who seconded the motion, said:
“Inverclyde has a proud reputation of supporting our Armed Forces veterans and serving personnel and their families.
“Adopting the Forces Children’s Rights Charter – the first council in Scotland to do so – further strengthens our support for the Armed Forces and, more importantly, lets young people in our community from an Armed Forces family that we are right behind them.”
As proud members of Veterans Scotland, we were delighted to attend the Armed Forces Champions Gathering in Stirling last week...
This Volunteers’ Week, we’re feeling grateful to the wonderful team that makes Ruby Boots possible, including Louise, whose compassion and...
In April, we introduced you to Sergeant Scott Urban, who shared why he chose to run the Edinburgh Half Marathon:...
As Communications and Marketing Officer, I produce a lot of content for our website and other channels, but I couldn’t...
This Mental Health Awareness Week, the theme is Take Action. Meaningful action starts with understanding what we may be missing. Forces children often...
A new free, one-to-one online tutoring service for young people from serving Royal Navy, Royal Marines and Royal Fleet Auxiliary families...
Young people aged 11-17 are invited to take complete a 20-30 survey and take part in this research project about...
As Camouflaged in the education system makes clear, children and young people from Armed Forces families are too often present, but unseen: their unique experiences are overlooked in systems that aren’t yet designed with mobility,...
Robert Reid recently joined Forces Children Scotland as a Policy and Campaigns Officer and is working to champion the rights...
Continuing our series on real-life Forces children’s experiences, here are some reflections from young people involved in our participation work,...
Lesley Ure, Community and Service Lead at King’s Group Academies, recently organised a collaborative event in Helensburgh around Scotland’s Schools:...
In this blog, we will look back at a few memories which have stuck with Forces children to celebrate the...
Meg Thomas, our Deputy CEO and Policy Lead, shares some thoughts from a Parliamentary event celebrating Month of the Military...
This May, Sergeant Scott Urban is running the Half Marathon in Edinburgh and raising money to support our work. Here...
Forces Children Scotland warmly welcomes Former Air Commodore Polly Miller-Perkins CBE to her new role as Armed Forces Commissioner. As...
Last month, Judith (our Learning and Development Worker) and Nina (our Participation Manager) were out on the road delivering our...
As we approach Month of the Military Child, it’s critical we learn from the voices and views of children and...
Let’s work together so children and young people’s voices are heard, and their rights are respected, in Scottish schools. As...
One key recommendation from our jointly produced report on Forces children’s education is to embed children and young people’s participation...
We’re grateful to be among the organisations receiving funding from the Scottish Veterans Fund 2026-27, which was recently announced by...
Children from Armed Forces families grow up with experiences that most of their peers and teachers will not understand firsthand....
What is one small, realistic step we can take to help create a fairer future for young carers from Forces...
Even with the best intentions, participation can be challenging to put into practice. Hear from our participation team about practical...
Recently, we took a step back from our day-to-day work to think about the bigger picture – with help from...
Our participation team is excited to be co-producing a unique resource supporting the wellbeing of younger children while their parent or loved one is deployed. With support from the Armed Forces...
How can we meet the needs of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines community? First and foremost, by better understanding...
Louise, a Ruby Boots Volunteer Facilitator, attended a two-day training course to gain skills and knowledge about how to handle...
Marking Place2Be's Children's Mental Health Week 2026, here are some reflections from Deputy CEO and Policy Lead Meg Thomas about...
Children and young people have a right to be heard and taken seriously, but what does this mean, and what...
At the most recent SCiP Conference, we saw children and young people take the floor, commanding the attention of over...
Public speaking is no easy task, let alone to a conference with over 100 delegates. Seeing children and young people...
As 2025 comes to a close, we’re privileged to reflect on what the past year has meant for us and...
Here are some reflections from Annabella Alovatti, a Volunteer Facilitator for The Ruby Boots Project and an undergraduate student of...
Remembrance is both collective and deeply personal. It connects us to the sacrifices of previous generations while inspiring us to...
The theme of Befriending Week this year is Collaboration and Partnership. Heather Douglas, coordinator for the Ruby Boots Project, discusses...
This year marks the first in our partnership with Greenwich Hospital, and we’re proud to celebrate what we have accomplished...
We’re happy to share our principles for the meaningful participation of babies, children and young people. Here are some thoughts...
We are so pleased to share that the co-developed, forces-life-specific Talking Mat is now available to children and young people....
Scottish Children’s Health Week is a time to reflect on what it really means for every child to have the...
Here is some feedback from the Ruby Boots summer sessions, plus practical tips for making wellbeing boxes with children and...
We are delighted that Forces in Mind Trust has awarded funding to this research project exploring how children and young...
Earlier this month, we brought a group of 14 young people from forces families together in Edinburgh for an action-packed...
We can provide financial support to empower young people from Regular, Reservist and Veteran families to realise their potential.
We’re proud to share the impact of our recent learning sessions delivered to teachers at Colinton Primary School in Edinburgh!...
Wesley, a former British Army soldier, completed the 2025 Edinburgh Marathon and raised almost £800 for Forces Children Scotland.
Article 31 of the UNCRC says that every child has the right to relax, play and take part in a...
Jaiden, Sophia, Meg, and Robyn delivered a workshop on Forces Children Scotland’s Children’s Rights Report ‘It’s not just their job,...
Policy catch-up with Robyn Pattinson Meet Robyn, who is our Policy and Parliamentary Officer at Forces Children Scotland. Robyn tells...
Attend our SCiP Conference Workshop We’re attending the SciP Alliance Conference in Cardiff to present a workshop on Forces Children...
Response to government announcement concerning the Hayward Review Forces Children Scotland is extremely disappointed by the Scottish Government’s decision not...
Forces Young People meet with the Minister for Children, Young People, and The Promise Six young people, representing the Navy,...
Forces Children Scotland joins over one-hundred charities and organisations in signing a letter demanding the Scottish government fulfil its promise...
The Scottish Government’s Programme for Government outlines its strategic priorities and legislative agenda for the coming year, focusing on key...
Scotland has incorporated the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child into Scots Law. The United Nations Convention...
Scotland has incorporated the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child into Scots Law, within the limits of...
A talented young Fife artist has designed a captivating series of animated characters for Forces Children Scotland’s Children’s Rights Report...
Looking at forces life through a children’s rights lens We are delighted to launch our children’s rights report to highlight...
Scottish Youth Parliament #SYP81 Representation Rubie and Chloe represented the lived experiences and views of young people from forces communities...
Children’s Rights from forces children’s perspective – Reflections by Meg Thomas, Deputy CEO & Policy Lead. We recently held a...
Young Carers Action Day 2024 This year’s theme promotes a fair future for young carers. Young Carers Action Day is...
Forces Children Scotland is delighted to become an Associate Member of the Scottish Youth Parliament. The announcement follows the recent...
Forces Children Help Shape Future Children’s Rights Landscape in Scotland. Forces Children Scotland worked in partnership with Queen Victoria School...
A response to the Scottish Veterans Commissioner (SVC) report ‘Community and Relationships: Anything but Uniform’. Forces Children Scotland welcomes the...
Today has proved very significant regarding children’s rights in Scotland. The Scottish UNCRC (Incorporation) Bill has received Royal Assent &...
Introducing our new Deputy CEO and Policy Lead, Meg Thomas. Meg will lead our exciting policy work, following the release...
Upholding Children’s Rights is fundamental. Children and young people can be one of the most vulnerable groups in society, so...
We have combined forces with young people from the armed forces community to co-develop our influencing strategy and manifesto. Working...
We have combined forces with young people from the armed forces community to co-develop our influencing strategy and manifesto. Working...
We have combined forces with young people from the armed forces community to co-develop our influencing strategy and manifesto. Working...
We have combined forces with young people from the armed forces community to co-develop our influencing strategy and manifesto. Working...
We have combined forces with young people from the armed forces community to co-develop our influencing strategy and manifesto. Working...