Equal Protection Bill passes at Stage 2

Date: 24th June 2019
Category: Special protection measures, Family Environment and Alternative Care, Protection from abuse or neglect, Disability, Basic Health and Welfare

Together is pleased to see the Children (Equal Protection from Assault) (Scotland) Bill pass at Stage 2 in the Scottish Parliament on 20 th June 2019.

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Scottish Government responds to review of mental health services at Polmont

Date: 24th June 2019
Category: Civil Rights and Freedoms, Disability, Basic Health and Welfare, Family Environment and Alternative Care, Child justice system, Special protection measures

Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf’s response included a commitment to develop a bespoke mental health strategy for young people, end the routine use of strip searches and to “explore options” for a pilot of in cell phones to support family contact.

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Children & vulnerable adults still being detained at Dungavel

Date: 24th June 2019
Category: Civil Rights and Freedoms, Disability, Basic Health and Welfare, Refugee , migrant and asylum-seeking children, Special protection measures

New figures show that 21 children were detained in Dungavel Immigration Removal Centre between 2010-2018. Some of the young people were held there until they were moved to immigration centers in England.

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Protection against Female Genital Mutilation to be improved

Date: 24th June 2019
Category: Civil Rights and Freedoms, Disability, Basic Health and Welfare

A new Bill seeks to introduce Protection Orders specifically designed to safeguard women and children who might find themselves under pressure to undergo female genital mutilation (FGM).

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UN expert condemns entrenched racial discrimination and inequality in the UK

Date: 24th June 2019
Category: Civil Rights and Freedoms, Freedom of thought, conscience and religion, General principles

The UN’s expert on racism and human rights has said that the UK Government’s policies exacerbate discrimination, stoke xenophobic sentiment and further entrench racial inequality.

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Supreme Court rules English and Welsh local authorities can be held liable for failing to protect children from harm.

Date: 24th June 2019
Category: Civil Rights and Freedoms, Family Environment and Alternative Care, General principles, Disability, Basic Health and Welfare

The UK’s Supreme Court has issued a judgment to restore the right of children to sue local authorities for negligence where councils have failed to protect them from harm.

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Are the World’s Richest Countries Family Friendly? Policy in the OECD and EU

Date: 24th June 2019
Category: Family Environment and Alternative Care, Education, Leisure and Cultural Activities, Disability, Basic Health and Welfare

A new report by UNICEF reveals that many of the world’s richest countries are failing to provide comprehensive solutions to families.

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1 in 7 of MEPs is now a Child Rights Champion!

Date: 24th June 2019
Category: Civil Rights and Freedoms

More than one hundred Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) have committed to breaking cycles of inequality, investing in children and listening to children’s voices.

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Review into mental health services at Polmont YOI published

Date: 21st June 2019
Category: Child justice system, Right to life, survival and development

A review ordered following the deaths of two young people in custody has called for a stronger suicide and self-harm strategy to be developed.

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Together responds to consultation on statutory guidance for children's services planning

Date: 21st June 2019
Category: Child rights impact assessments, Respect for the views of the child

Together has responded to Scottish Government’s consultation on the provision of statutory guidance for children’s services planning under Part 3 of the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 .

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