Date: 31st May 2017
Category: Child trafficking

The Scottish Government has published it's new Trafficking and Exploitation Strategy which aims to completely eliminate human trafficking and exploitation.

Date: 31st May 2017
Category: Social security

The European Parliament have published a briefing paper on measuring social impact in the EU as a result of austerity measures which have triggered a shift in the focus of EU policy-makers towards deepening the economic union and achieving greater social convergence across Member States.

Date: 31st May 2017
Category: Other human rights treaties and mechanisms

The European Commission has reported on the application of the Charter of fundamental rights in the EU for 2016.

Date: 31st May 2017
Category: Refugee , migrant and asylum-seeking children

A Child is a Child highlights that the world has seen almost a five-fold increase in the number of refugee and migrant children traveling alone since 2010. Even when they travel with their families, they face several terrible risks and often fall through the cracks.

Date: 31st May 2017
Category: Reporting to and monitoring the UNCRC

On Monday 15 May, Renate Winter, the member from Austria, was elected as new Chairperson of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child.

Date: 31st May 2017
Category: Disabled children

A new project - Research Priorities for Learning Difficulties - has been launched during Learning Difficulties Week 2017. The project aims to identify the top 10 research priorities for learning difficulties amongst children and young people.

Date: 31st May 2017
Category: Refugee , migrant and asylum-seeking children

The UNCRC and UNCMW Committees are welcoming written comments on a zero draft of the new joint General Comment on children in the context of international migration until 30th June 2017.

Date: 16th May 2017
Category: Equal protection from violence

John Finnie MSP has launched a consultation on a proposed Bill on Equal Protection for children and young people.

Date: 16th May 2017
Category: Civil Rights and Freedoms

The code says statutory searches must be "necessary, proportionate and in accordance with the law". There is also specific guidance on dealing with children and vulnerable adults.

Date: 16th May 2017
Category: Family Environment and Alternative Care

This report explores how the role and responsibilities of Scotland's Chief Social Work Officers (CSWOs) in relation to secure care are translated in practice.

Date: 16th May 2017
Category: Mental health

SAMH have reported that 19 children and young people in Scotland are let down by the mental health system every day. Last year, nearly 7,000 children and young people did not receive help for mental health problems. These figures were released during Mental Health Awareness Week.

Date: 16th May 2017
Category: Inclusive education

The SCSC launched its manifesto ahead of the council elections, warning of a 'lost generation' of children and young people with additional support needs (ASN) if cuts in local authority budgets continue.

Date: 16th May 2017
Category: Non-discrimination

Girlguiding Scotland - the charity for girls and young women - is calling for action following concerns sexist coverage of female politicians is leaving girls feeling side-lined from the political conversation.

Date: 16th May 2017
Category: Non-discrimination

The Scottish Government's Equality, Third Sector & Communities Division have published an update on how Scottish Government is making progress on incorporating equality across its activities and delivering on the equality outcomes set in April 2013.

Date: 16th May 2017
Category: Social security

Further details about the new Scottish Social Security Agency were revealed by the Minister for Social Security on 27th April in a ministerial statement to the Scottish Parliament which set out the basic principles of how devolved benefits will be delivered.

Date: 16th May 2017
Category: UN Convention Against Torture (CAT)

The European Committee for the Prevention of Torture has released a report on the UK's compliance with a key anti-torture treaty, claiming that none of the prisons visited by the delegation last year "could be considered safe for prisoners or staff".

Date: 16th May 2017
Category: Child trafficking

Children who have been trafficked may also find themselves in conflict with the law through e.g. immigration or criminal offences. This briefing paper assesses the early impact of the new 'non-punishment' provisions, and considers whether the measures that have been put in place are sufficient to protect trafficked children.

Date: 16th May 2017
Category: Family Environment and Alternative Care

The Local Government and Communities Committee has launched a call for written evidence on homelessness. They want to find out the reasons why people can find themselves homeless or threatened with homelessness and what can be done to tackle this effectively.

Date: 16th May 2017
Category: UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD)

There is a call for comments from the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities on the draft General Comment on the right of persons with disabilities to live independently and be included in the community (article 19).

Date: 16th May 2017
Category: Equal protection from violence

John Finnie MSP has launched a consultation on a proposed Bill on Equal Protection for children and young people. The Bill aims to remove the legal defence of "justifiable assault", bringing Scotland in line with UNCRC recommendations and with most other European countries.