Thread by @together_sacr

📢BREAKING! 📢

UN Committee on the Rights of the Child @UNChildRights1 issues almost 200 recommendations for UK and @scotgov following its #childrights review.

Follow this thread for highlights! #TeamScotlandUN

Full version 👉shorturl.at/uxM14

@UNChildRights1 @scotgov @OfficialSYP @CYPCS @Creative_Voices UN Committee opens by identifying several areas that need 'urgent measures':

🚨non-discrimination
🚨protection from abuse, neglect, sexual exploitation
🚨children with Care-Experience
🚨mental health
🚨asylum-seeking, refugee and migrant children
🚨child justice system

@UNChildRights1 @scotgov @OfficialSYP @CYPCS @Creative_Voices UN Committee welcomes the #UNCRCScotland Bill and urges @scotgov to "expeditiously bring forward the amendments necessary" so that it can become law ⌛️

#TeamScotlandUN #ConcludingObservations

It also calls on @GOVUK to reconsider its decision to replace the Human Rights Act - any changes must uphold ALL children's rights, ensure effective remedies and be informed by children's participation

#TeamScotlandUN #ConcludingObservations @libertyhq @BIHRhumanrights

UN Cttee says governments need to take a child rights-based approach to their budgeting processes - including tracking systems, strengthened data collection and monitoring, targeted measures. No regressive measures should be made without children's participation!

#TeamScotlandUN

Action needs to be taken to combat gaps in data collection & analysis - including re. use of restraint, experiences of disabled children, children with parent in prison & asylum-seeking children. UN Ctee pushing for strengthened indicators and disaggregated data.

#TeamScotlandUN

UN Committee calls for development of comprehensive national action plans on #ChildRights. These to include special focus on children whose rights are at risk - e.g. young carers, disabled children, LBGTI, children in poverty, asylum-seeking, refugee and migrant children.

UN Cttee emphasises need for confidential, child-friendly and independent complaints mechanisms across all settings and access to legal support to help children claim their rights

#TeamScotlandUN @clanchildlaw @ScotChildLaw @justrightscot

All under-18s are children and must be protected as such. UN Cttee is concerned that many 16-17yos are treated as adults. It calls for a review of all age-based legislation to make sure all under-18s have their rights upheld.

#TeamScotlandUN #ConcludingObservations @CYCJScotland

@CYCJScotland UN Committee calls on @scotgov to raise the age of marriage to 18 without exception.

#TeamScotlandUN #ConcludingObservations
@scotwomensaid

@CYCJScotland @scotgov @scotwomensaid Committee is "deeply concerned" by persistent discrimination, racism and bullying. Calls for targeted policies & programmes to eliminate discrimination including against Gypsy/Traveller children, disabled children, LGBTI children, children in poverty, refugees & asylum-seekers

@CYCJScotland @scotgov @scotwomensaid UN Ctee is concerned that children's views are not systematically taken into account. It emphasises need for child-friendly information & specific actions to ensure views of younger children and disabled children influence decision-making @LicketyTweet @earlyyearsscot @SCLDNews

@CYCJScotland @scotgov @scotwomensaid @LicketyTweet @earlyyearsscot @SCLDNews UN Cttee notes @GOVUK's block of Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill & calls for action to ensure LGBTI children can enjoy freedom of expression, respect for physical and psychological integrity, gender identity and emerging autonomy.

#TeamScotlandUN @LGBTIScotland

@CYCJScotland @scotgov @scotwomensaid @LicketyTweet @earlyyearsscot @SCLDNews @GOVUK @LGBTIScotland UN Cttee calls for repeal of legal provisions on compulsory religious observance . It says children should have a right to withdraw without parent/carer consent and notes need for statutory rights-based guidance.

#TeamScotlandUN @humanistsociety

@CYCJScotland @scotgov @scotwomensaid @LicketyTweet @earlyyearsscot @SCLDNews @GOVUK @LGBTIScotland @humanistsociety UN Cttee echoes calls from @OfficialSYP to strengthen measures to prevent use of mosquito devices. It also calls for repeal of UK legal provisions that restrict children's right to protest.

#TeamScotlandUN #ConcludingObservations

UN Committee expresses deep concerns at number of children experiencing pain inducing techniques and seclusion, noting disproportionate use on disabled children and minority ethnic groups.

#TeamScotlandUN #ConcludingObservations

It calls for ban, without exception, on use of tasers, strip searches on children, solitary confinement, isolation, seclusion and restraint as disciplinary measures in schools, alternative care and health settings.

#TeamScotlandUN #ConcludingObservations

UN Cttee says statutory guidance should be developed on use of #restraint so that is used only as last resort & exclusively to prevent harm to child or others - never as a disciplinary measure. Implementation of this guidance must be monitored.

#ConcludingObservations

UN Cttee welcomes 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿's ban on physical punishment by parents/carers. It calls for strong monitoring of the law's implementation & impact. Also calls for strengthened awareness raising for parents, teachers & professionals on positive methods.

#TeamScotlandUN @children1st

@children1st UN Cttee concerned at high prevalence of domestic abuse, sexual exploitation & gender-based violence. Child victims should have prompt access to child-sensitive, multisectoral interventions and support such as Barnahus.

#TeamScotlandUN #ConcludingObservations @children1st

@children1st Specifically on 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿, UN Cttee notes the Bairns' Hoose standards and says services and support must be available for and meet the specific needs of all victims of violence.

#TeamScotlandUN #ConcludingObservations @children1st

@children1st UN Cttee calls for sufficient resources to be allocated to childcare and eligibility to be expanded. Identifies need for specific action re children in poverty, in rural areas and families with irregular work patterns.

#TeamScotlandUN @earlyyearsscot

@children1st @earlyyearsscot UN Cttee says there should be training for teachers and other professionals to help them identify young carers and provide the support they need.

#TeamScotlandUN #ConcludingObservations @CarersTrustScot

@children1st @earlyyearsscot @CarersTrustScot UN Cttee makes extensive recommendations on care system, including

👨‍👨‍👧increased family support at edges of care
🧓more social workers
🫂 advocacy support
🫶contact with family
🏠placement stability
🗺️cross-border placements
🗣️children's participation in decisions
🧳care leavers

@children1st @earlyyearsscot @CarersTrustScot Numerous calls also made re. children with a parent in prison:

🙋‍♀️best interests should be at core of sentencing
🏠 consider alternatives sentences
👨‍👨‍👧‍👧Support family contact, including financial support for visits and remote visits

#TeamScotlandUN @FamiliesOutside

@children1st @earlyyearsscot @CarersTrustScot @FamiliesOutside Further calls relating to disabled children - UN Cttee says specific impacts of welfare reform should be assessed, diagnostic waiting times reduced, strengthened support for social integration and participation in decision making.

#TeamScotlandUN @SCLDNews

@children1st @earlyyearsscot @CarersTrustScot @FamiliesOutside @SCLDNews Pleased to see recommendations on child-sensitive and age-appropriate healthcare that members @ChildHealthScot pushed for. Includes UN calls for children's participation in development and implementation of health and social care services and commissioning.

#TeamScotlandUN

@children1st @earlyyearsscot @CarersTrustScot @FamiliesOutside @SCLDNews @ChildHealthScot Many recommendations on health are inextricably linked to child poverty. UN calls include need for strengthened measures to address food insecurity, including expansion of free school meals.

#TeamScotlandUN #ConcludingObservations

@children1st @earlyyearsscot @CarersTrustScot @FamiliesOutside @SCLDNews @ChildHealthScot Huge concerns from @UNChildRights1 about state of children's mental health, echoing what they've heard from children. Calls include:

🍼 infant mental health
🏞️community-based services
🗣️participation
⌛️reducing waiting times
🏥ending use of adult wards for children
🛑prevention

@children1st @earlyyearsscot @CarersTrustScot @FamiliesOutside @SCLDNews @ChildHealthScot @UNChildRights1 UN Cttee has responded to children's concerns on climate change, urging governments to:

🏭reduce emissions
☁️pass & implement laws on air quality
🚸involve children in decisions at all levels
🎒promote awareness & preparedness in school

#TeamScotlandUN #ConcludingObservations

@children1st @earlyyearsscot @CarersTrustScot @FamiliesOutside @SCLDNews @ChildHealthScot @UNChildRights1 Child poverty is by far the most recurring theme throughout the #ConcludingObservations. UN notes "with deep concern the large number of children living in poverty, food insecurity and homelessness"

#TeamScotlandUN

@children1st @earlyyearsscot @CarersTrustScot @FamiliesOutside @SCLDNews @ChildHealthScot @UNChildRights1 .@UNChildRights1 recommends range of actions on child poverty, including:

🪙increase benefits to reflect rising costs
🧸abolish two-child limit and benefit cap
🏘️increase affordable housing
🏚️phase out temporary accomm
📉stronger monitoring and accountability

@CPAGScotland

@children1st @earlyyearsscot @CarersTrustScot @FamiliesOutside @SCLDNews @ChildHealthScot @UNChildRights1 @CPAGScotland Education is another big priority for @UNChildRights1, echoing children's concerns. UN Cttee calls for action to address educational inequalities experienced by children in poverty, refugees, asylum-seekers, young carers & other children whose rights are at risk

#TeamScotlandUN

@children1st @earlyyearsscot @CarersTrustScot @FamiliesOutside @SCLDNews @ChildHealthScot @UNChildRights1 @CPAGScotland Specific calls to action on education include:

🌟 ensuring inclusive education in mainstream schools
🧸early childhood education
🚫exclusions - including appeals
🙍‍♀️anti-bullying
🫂 inclusion of trans & gender-questioning children
🗺️anti-racism
🇺🇳 children's rights education

@children1st @earlyyearsscot @CarersTrustScot @FamiliesOutside @SCLDNews @ChildHealthScot @UNChildRights1 @CPAGScotland Now coming to children's right to rest, leisure, play, cultural & artistic life. @UNChildRights1 calls for:

🔖specific strategy to uphold Art 31 rights
🪙backed by resources
🎨integrate play into the curriculum
🛝equal access to play space
🏞️participation in planning & transport

@children1st @earlyyearsscot @CarersTrustScot @FamiliesOutside @SCLDNews @ChildHealthScot @UNChildRights1 @CPAGScotland UN Committee raises grave concerns about treatment of asylum seeking, refugee and migrant children. It is heavily critical of @GOVUK's #RefugeeBanBill and Nationality and Borders Act, questioning compatibility with 1951 Refugee convention.

@justrightscot @scotrefcouncil

@children1st @earlyyearsscot @CarersTrustScot @FamiliesOutside @SCLDNews @ChildHealthScot @UNChildRights1 @CPAGScotland @GOVUK @justrightscot @scotrefcouncil It calls on @GOVUK to ensure:

🚫#RefugeeBanBill & NABA amended in line with #ChildRights
📚child-friendly information about asylum process, rights & support
🧸best interests upheld
🗣️children's views taken into account
🎂end unreliable and invasive age assessment practices

@children1st @earlyyearsscot @CarersTrustScot @FamiliesOutside @SCLDNews @ChildHealthScot @UNChildRights1 @CPAGScotland @GOVUK @justrightscot @scotrefcouncil Further calls include:

🌎age-disputed children not to be removed to third countries
🏫asylum-seeking, refugee and migrant children to have prompt access to education, health services, housing, support services & benefits
👨‍👨‍👧‍👦grant family reunion rights to unaccompanied children

@children1st @earlyyearsscot @CarersTrustScot @FamiliesOutside @SCLDNews @ChildHealthScot @UNChildRights1 @CPAGScotland @GOVUK @justrightscot @scotrefcouncil UN Cttee expresses deep concerns about the "draconian and punitive nature" of the child justice system.

While🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 may have raised its age of criminal responsibility to 12, this is still "low". Other concerns include police custody, unfair treatment of 16-17yos and detention.

@children1st @earlyyearsscot @CarersTrustScot @FamiliesOutside @SCLDNews @ChildHealthScot @UNChildRights1 @CPAGScotland @GOVUK @justrightscot @scotrefcouncil UN Cttee is absolutely clear that @scotgov should raise the minimum age of criminal responsibility to "at least 14" in line with General Comment 24.

#TeamScotlandUN #ConcludingObservations

@children1st @earlyyearsscot @CarersTrustScot @FamiliesOutside @SCLDNews @ChildHealthScot @UNChildRights1 @CPAGScotland @GOVUK @justrightscot @scotrefcouncil @scotgov UN Cttee responds to calls by @CRINwire, @BritishQuakers & @ForcesWatch on ending armed forces recruitment of children. Recommendations include raising recruitment age to 18, prohibiting adverts to children, enlistment safeguards & ending discriminatory minimum service periods

@children1st @earlyyearsscot @CarersTrustScot @FamiliesOutside @SCLDNews @ChildHealthScot @UNChildRights1 @CPAGScotland @GOVUK @justrightscot @scotrefcouncil @scotgov @CRINwire @BritishQuakers @ForcesWatch And that's a wrap on our #ConcludingObservations highlights tour! With almost 200 recommendations it's impossible to do them justice on Twitter so stay tuned for our next e-news where we'll have a fuller round-up.

Subscribe to our e-news here👉tinyurl.com/43mt669e

@children1st @earlyyearsscot @CarersTrustScot @FamiliesOutside @SCLDNews @ChildHealthScot @UNChildRights1 @CPAGScotland @GOVUK @justrightscot @scotrefcouncil @scotgov @CRINwire @BritishQuakers @ForcesWatch A huge thank you 2 everyone who has been involved in this process. We are immensely grateful & proud of the efforts by children, young people, our members & supporters in shaping these recommendations. We look forward to working alongside you as we drive forward implementation!🌟