Promise Bill passes at Stage 1

Date: 20th January 2026
Category: Care Experienced children, General measures of implementation

The Children (Care, Care Experience and Services Planning) (Scotland) Bill – sometimes referred to as “The Promise Bill” – was approved by MSPs on 14th January 2026. The Bill, which seeks to make changes to the children’s care system and who is responsible for planning of children’s services, will now move to Stage 2.

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Religious Observance and UNCRC Act amendment Bill: Stage 2 update

Date: 20th January 2026
Category: General measures of implementation, Freedom of thought, conscience and religion

The Bill passed Stage 2 on 16 th December 2025. While Together was pleased to see an amendment which seeks to end the conflation of Religious Observance (RO) and Religious and Moral Education (RME), we were disappointed that MSPs voted against an amendment to introduce an independent right for children and young people to opt out of RO. Together will continue to call for further strengthening of the Bill ahead of Stage 3, including bringing the changes it makes within the scope of the UNCRC Incorporation Act. Together is now preparing its briefing for MSPs ahead of Stage 3 (dates still to be confirmed). If members wish to share any information or views to inform this briefing, please email info@togetherscotland.org.uk with the subject “RO Bill”.

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Magic Breakfast’s Morning We Make Project

Date: 20th January 2026
Category: Nutrition, General measures of implementation

Magic Breakfast is excited to share the Invitation to Tender for Magic Breakfast's Morning We Make, a children's rights-based research and advocacy project, centring the lived experience of children and young people during the transition from Primary 7 to Secondary 2 in areas across Scotland. The organisation is looking for an experienced UNCRC practitioner or researcher to support its rights-based engagement workshops.

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Realising the right of children separated from parents in armed forces families: learning from the Scottish context

Date: 20th January 2026
Category: Children in armed forces families

This new blog is about the work of Doudou Zhong, an MSc candidate at the University of Edinburgh, examining how the rights of children from Armed Forces families in Scotland are protected, fulfilled, and promoted during periods of parental separation caused by military service. The blog is part of a series exploring MSc students’ findings, who worked with the support of Together, the Observatory of Children’s Human Rights in Scotland and Forces Children Scotland.

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Access to “third spaces” for children and youth: public spaces and community belonging in Scotland

Date: 20th January 2026
Category: Recreation, play and cultural activities, Planning and community

This new blog is about the work of Debbie Zhang, an MSc candidate at the University of Edinburgh, exploring access to ‘third spaces’ for children and young people. The blog is part of a series exploring MSc students’ findings, who worked with the support of Together, the Observatory of Children’s Human Rights in Scotland, Pilton Youth and Children’s Project (Edinburgh) and Lothian Association of Youth Clubs.

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The role of youth work in the realization of the human rights of young people in Scotland – with a focus on young refugees

Date: 20th January 2026
Category: Refugee , migrant and asylum-seeking children, Education, Leisure and Cultural Activities

This new blog is about the work of Jiaying Wang, an MSc candidate at the University of Edinburgh, exploring the role of youth work in realising Human RIghts for young people, especially refugees, in Scotland. The blog is part of a series exploring MSc students’ findings, who worked with the support of Together, the Observatory of Children’s Human Rights in Scotland and YouthLink Scotland.

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Latest children's rights news from Scottish Parliament - sign up to our mailing with Dentons

Date: 20th January 2026
Category: General measures of implementation

Scotland’s children’s rights landscape is changing fast. In partnership with Dentons law firm, our weekly Monitoring Report highlights key developments you won’t want to miss. It includes the latest debates in Scottish Parliament, motions, questions, updates on Bills, and upcoming consultations.

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Review of legislative landscape for children in care

Date: 20th January 2026
Category: General measures of implementation, Care Experienced children

An independent, expert-led review has been announced that will consider changes to the legislative framework for the children’s care system. The 12-month review will be led by Professor Kenneth Norrie, working in partnership with CELCIS.

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Age of criminal responsibility review

Date: 20th January 2026
Category: Age of criminal responsibility

Scottish Government has concluded its review of the Age of Criminal Responsibility (Scotland) Act 2019. While it acknowledges a further increase to the age of criminal responsibility is possible and “would strengthen Scotland’s commitment to child rights”, it does not commit to any change – saying that further evidence gathering, review and public consultation would be required before a decision is made.

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Record low number of Coordinated Support Plans

Date: 20th January 2026
Category: Inclusive education, Education, including vocational education

New figures highlighted by the Scottish Children’s Services Coalition (SCSC) show a growing gap between the number of children identified with additional support needs (ASN) and those receiving a Coordinated Support Plan (CSP).

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