New child-friendly complaints handling guidelines for policing bodies

Date: 10th August 2026
Category: General measures of implementation

The Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC) launched new statutory guidance to mark the two-year anniversary of the UNCRC Act entering into force.

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What Scotland can learn from Nordic countries on children’s rights

Date: 10th August 2026
Category: General measures of implementation

The UNCRC (Incorporation) (Scotland) Act came into force in 2024, giving children’s rights greater legal protection. However, the next challenge is making sure these rights lead to real changes in children’s everyday lives.

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No Knives Better Lives report 2026

Date: 10th August 2026
Category: General measures of implementation

A new report from YouthLink titled ‘No Knives, Better Lives’ explores how young people across Scotland understand violence, knife crime, safety and prevention. The report is based on the views of 2,922 young people and highlights the different factors that influence how safe they feel, including fear, social pressures, identity and trust.

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Access to funded early years education remains unequal

Date: 10th August 2026
Category: Education, Leisure and Cultural Activities

More families are accessing formal early years education and childcare, but children living in the most deprived areas continue to face greater barriers to accessing these services, according to a new Department for Education (DfE) survey of parents with children aged 0 to 14 living in England.

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UK’s Protection of Children Code – one year on

Date: 10th August 2026
Category: General principles

One year after the Protection of Children Code under the Online Safety Act came into force, new research shows that online platforms are making changes to improve children’s safety, but significant risks still remain.

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New pilot scheme to support children with a parent in prison

Date: 10th August 2026
Category: Family Environment and Alternative Care

A new UK Government scheme will aim to identify children with a parent in prison earlier and connect them with the support they need. Launching this summer, the pilot scheme will bring together information held by services in England and Wales including prisons, police and local councils.

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European Commission calls for stronger protection of Children online

Date: 10th August 2026
Category: Civil Rights and Freedoms

The European Commission is considering a major change to how children are protected online, with Commission President Ursula von der Leyen calling for technology companies to take greater responsibility for keeping children safe.

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Children help shape new UN guidance on the right to freedom of association

Date: 10th August 2026
Category: Freedom of association and peaceful assembly

This year, the United Nations Human Rights Committee is developing new guidance on a fundamental human right: the right to freedom of association. This is an important opportunity to strengthen the rights of child human rights defenders and ensure that children’s experiences and views are reflected in international human rights guidance.

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Consultation on new rules for tobacco and vaping products

Date: 10th August 2026
Category: Disability, Basic Health and Welfare

Deadline: 2 nd October 2026

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Two years of the UNCRC Act: our letter to the incoming Prime Minister

Date: 16th July 2026
Category:

Today marks two years since the UNCRC (Incorporation) (Scotland) Act came into force. To mark the anniversary, we have written to Andy Burnham, as incoming Prime Minister, asking him to close the gap that stops the UNCRC Act reaching much of the law affecting children and young people's lives.

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