Below are some of the policies and laws which have the greatest impact on the lives of children and young people from Armed Forces and Veteran families.
The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise between the Government, the Armed Forces community and the nation that no service person, veteran or their family should face a disadvantage as a result of their service.
Find out more about the Armed Forces Covenant
The incorporation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) will be extremely important for all children and young people in Scotland when most provisions come into force in July 2024. However, children and young people from armed forces and veteran families risk falling into a grey area where their lives are influenced not only by the Scottish Government but by reserved matters, like the Ministry of Defence, where the UNCRC Incorporation (Scotland) Act will not apply.
Read more about the UNCRC Incorporation (Scotland) Act 2024
Getting it Right for Every Child (GIRFEC) is a Scottish Government policy aiming to make sure every child has the right support at the right time. It is about placing the child or young person and their family at the heart of decision-making and promoting choice. It is a rights-respecting and inclusive approach. Children should have a named-person who is a clear point of contact.
Find out more about GIRFEC
This Act places duties on Education Authorities and appropriate agencies to identify, assess and make provisions for children and young people who may have additional support needs. Children and young people with parents in the armed forces were identified as being a group that may require additional support.
View the policy View the statutory guidance View the legislation