Forces Children Scotland 3 years ago
Working directly with young people means lived experience is embedded at every step to deliver meaningful change for over 12,500 children and young people from armed forces and veteran families.
Together, we continue to work as a force for good to ensure Scotland is a place where they will feel increasingly heard, understood, respected, and represented.
Children and young people from armed forces and veteran families across Scotland have the right to be heard, with too many reporting a feeling of being hidden, unheard or misunderstood in policymaking and practice.
We do not know enough about this group and how being part of the armed forces community shapes childhood. Research suggests we need to consider their experiences of education, mental health, relationships, trauma, and transitional moments such as moving with their parents from military to civilian life.
The adults around children from armed forces and veteran families need to know more about their unique lives, which means educators and professionals, across military and civilian sectors, need to feel confident and equipped to support them at the right time.
Policy surrounding children and young people from armed forces and veteran families in Scotland falls to both the UK Government and the Scottish Government, meaning it is possible for this community’s rights to fall through the gap.
Download now
The team has worked with young people to dig deep into the current evidence base to explore many of the common problems faced by peers from this community and, once we came up with a lengthy list, our attention turned to coming up with lots of potential solutions.
In coming up with these solutions, we also learned from effective campaigns delivered around the world, consider why they proved so successful, and what communication tools they used to put their message effectively across to a wide range of audiences.
We put all our research, hard work, and learning together to gather thoughts, ideas, and creativity in order to consider how we present our strategy, what our behaviours should be, who needs to listen and develop specific calls-to-action for them to take action to achieve meaningful change.
Download nowFrom the Scottish Government, Ministry of Defence, and local authorities to universities, colleges, schools, and many more.
Make Scotland a place for all children and young people from armed forces and veteran families to realise their potential and thrive.
Download now
Last week, we introduced a Rights-Informed Public Health Approach. Here are some ideas from our CEO, Steven Sweeney, on how...
In the words of Cadence, a young person who contributed to The Forces Children’s Rights Charter, “this is more than a...
Ask a child from an Armed Forces family about relocating and they are unlikely to talk only about moving house. They will describe...
This is a three-part series exploring how a Rights-Informed Public Health Approach (RIPHA) can support continuity of wellbeing for babies,...
Forces Children Scotland congratulates Andy Burnham on becoming Prime Minister. As he begins to set out his policy priorities, our...
Angus Council has today signalled its commitment to the Armed Forces community by becoming the first local authority in Tayside...
Scottish Borders Council has become one of the first local authorities in Scotland to formally adopt the Forces Children’s Rights...
Renfrewshire Council has marked a milestone in strengthening the rights of children from Armed Forces families across Renfrewshire by endorsing...
Here is a summary of our response to the UK Government’s Growing Up in an Online World consultation, courtesy of...
Inverclyde Council has today become the first local authority in Scotland to endorse the Forces Children’s Rights Charter, marking a...
As proud members of Veterans Scotland, we were delighted to attend the Armed Forces Champions Gathering in Stirling last week...
Lesley Ure, Community and Service Lead at King’s Group Academies, recently organised a collaborative event in Helensburgh around Scotland’s Schools:...
Meg Thomas, our Deputy CEO and Policy Lead, shares some thoughts from a Parliamentary event celebrating Month of the Military...
Forces Children Scotland warmly welcomes Former Air Commodore Polly Miller-Perkins CBE to her new role as Armed Forces Commissioner. As...
Scottish Children’s Health Week is a time to reflect on what it really means for every child to have the...
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...