Scottish Government respond to report on prejudice-based bullying in schools

Date: 21st September 2017
Category: Bullying

John Swinney MSP, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, has responded to the Equalities and Human Rights Committee's report "It's not Cool to be Cruel: Prejudice-based bullying and harassment of children and young people in school".

Mr Swinney has written to the Convenor of the Committee, Christina McKelvie, and has responded in detail to the report in the annex of his letter. He has agreed with many of the recommendations made by the Committee in the report, including those regarding placing an emphasis on preventative measures and ensuring the focus of the National anti-Bullying approach is on early intervention and the rights of the child.

With regards to the recommendation that the Equalities and Human Rights Committee made in the report on bringing forward legislation which incorporates the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) into Scots law, John Swinney has responded by confirming that Scottish Government is committed to children's rights and by highlighting the action it has taken through the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 to reflect the requirements of the UNCRC such as the duties on Scottish Ministers, included in Part 1 of the Act, that require them to consider and take steps to further the rights of children and young people.

In his letter, John Swinney highlighted the review of Personal and Social Education that will be undertaken by Scottish Government before the end of 2018 and how the review will examine the role of pastoral guidance and the provision of counselling services for children and young people in local authority schools.

• Read the full response here.