November 2016 About Together Together (Scottish Alliance for Children’s Rights) is an alliance of over 340 children’s organisations, academics and interested professionals. Our vision is that the rights of all children in Scotland are protected, respected and fulfilled, as enshrined in the UNCRC and other human rights conventions. To achieve this, we work with our membership, stakeholders and duty bearers to progress and achieve the realisation of children’s rights in all areas of society. Glossary of Terms ADCS – Association of Directors of Children’s Services ICT – Information and Communication Technology ADHD – Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder IGM – Intersex Genital Mutilation AHRC – Arts & Humanities Research Council ILPA – Immigration Law Practitioners’ Association ARE – Appeal Rights Exhausted ISD – Information Services Division ASBO – Antisocial Behaviour Order JCHR – Joint Committee on Human Rights ASN – Additional Support Needs LEZ – Low Emission Zone AST – Asylum Support Tribunal LGBTI – Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex BME – Black and Minority Ethnic LGBTQ – Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer BSL – British Sign Language ME – Minority Ethnic CAMH – Child and Adolescent Health MSYP – Member of the Scottish Youth Parliament CAPSM – Children Affected by Parental Substance Misuse Group MVP – Mentors in Violence Prevention Programme CEDAW – Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of NAP – National Action Plan Discrimination Against Women NGO – refers to non-governmental organisations in Scotland unless CELCIS – Centre of Excellence for Looked After Children in Scotland otherwise stated CERD – Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination NHS – National Health Service CESCR – Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights NMF – National Modelling Framework Child/children – refers to those under 18 unless otherwise stated NPVCSG – National Prison Visitor Centre Steering Group Children’s organisations – refers to non-governmental NSPCC – National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children organisations in Scotland unless otherwise stated OECD – Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development CHS – Children’s Hearing System OPAC – UNCRC Optional Protocol on the Involvement of Children CoSLA – Convention of Scottish Local Authorities in Armed Conflict CPC – Child Protection Committee PIP – Personal Independence Payments CRIA – Children’s Rights Impact Assessment PVG – Protection of Vulnerable Groups CRWIA – Child Rights and Wellbeing Impact Assessment RCET – Royal Caledonian Education Trust CSO – Compulsory Supervision Order RCPCH – Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health CYCJ – Centre for Youth & Criminal Justice RSPH – Relationships, Sexual Health and Parenthood CYPCS – Children and Young People’s Commissioner for Scotland SALSUS – Scottish Schools Adolescent Lifestyle and Substance DLA – Disability Living Allowance Use Survey ECHR – European Convention on Human Rights SCCJR – Scottish Centre for Crime and Justice Research EHRC – Equality and Human Rights Commission SCJC EQIA – Equality Impact Assessment – Scottish Civil Justice Council EU – European Union SCLC – Scottish Child Law Centre FGM- Female Genital Mutilation SCQF – Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework FMPO – Forced Marriage Protection Order SCRA – Scottish Children’s Reporter Administration FMU – Forced Marriage Unit SEPA – Scottish Environment Protection Agency FOI – Freedom of Information SHRC – Scottish Human Rights Commission GIRFEC – Getting It Right For Every Child SIMD – Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation HBSC – Health Behaviour in School Aged Children SNAP – Scotland’s National Action Plan on Human Rights HBV – Honour-Based Violence SOP – Standard Operating Procedure HCF – Highland Children’s Forum SPA – Scottish Police Authority HKD – Hyperkinetic Disorder SSGCIS – Scottish Stakeholder Group on Child Internet Safety HMP & YOI – Her Majesty’s Prison and Young Offender Institution SSSC – Scottish Social Services Council HMYOI – Her Majesty’s Young Offender Institution SSTA – Scottish Secondary Teachers’ Association HRA – Human Rights Act 1998 STERG – Scottish Traveller Education Review Group HRE – Human Rights Education SYP – Scottish Youth Parliament HSS – Humanist Society Scotland TIE – Time for Inclusive Education Human Rights Committee – the Committee that monitors UASC – Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and The UN Committee – United Nations Committee on the Rights Political Rights of the Child ICERD – International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms UNCRC – United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child of Racial Discrimination UNCRPD- United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons ICESCR – International Covenant on Economic, Social and with Disabilities Cultural Rights UNICEF – United Nations Children’s Fund ICRMW – International Convention on the Protection of the UPR – Universal Periodic Review Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families YEA – Young Edinburgh Action Artwork Authors The artwork used throughout this report was created by Juliet Harris, Liz Millership, Nick Moodie and Joanna Shepherd members of the Children’s Parliament through the Fairer Fife, Imagining Aberdeen, Active Children and StreetsAhead Tranent projects. We would like to thank all the children involved. Page State of Children’s Rights in Scotland 2016 1 Contents Executive summary ..............................................................................................................................................................5 Introduction ........................................................................................................................................................... 11 Chapter 1 General measures of implementation (Articles 4, 42 and 44(6)) ������������������������������������������������ 13 Case study: Using a child rights and wellbeing impact assessment 14 1.1 Legislation 15 1.2 Ratification of the international human rights instruments 17 1.3 Comprehensive policy and strategy 19 1.4 Independent monitoring 24 1.5 Children’s rights and the business sector 25 Chapter 2 General principles (Articles 2, 3, 6 and 12) ....................................................................................27 Case study: StreetsAhead Tranent: sharing stories, shaping futures 28 2.1 Non-discrimination 29 2.2 Best interests of the child 34 2.3 Right to life, survival and development 35 2.4 Respect for the views of the child 36 Chapter 3 Civil rights and freedoms (Articles 7, 8 and 13-17) ....................................................................... 43 Case study: The use of mosquito devices on children 44 3.1 Freedom of thought, conscience and religion 45 3.2 Freedom of association and peaceful assembly 46 3.3 Right to privacy 51 Chapter 4 Violence against children (Articles 19, 24(3), 28(2), 34, 37(a) and 39) .......................................57 Case study: Honour violence against children in Scotland 58 4.1 Torture and other cruel or degrading treatment or punishment 59 4.2 Restraint 60 4.3 Corporal punishment 62 4.4 Violence, abuse and neglect 63 4.5 Sexual exploitation and abuse 69 4.6 Harmful practices 71 4.7 Freedom of the child from all forms of violence 74 Page 2 State of Children’s Rights in Scotland 2016 Chapter 5 Family environment and alternative care (Articles 5, 9-11, 18(1-3), 20-21, 25 and 27(4)) ....... 77 Case study: Children looked after at home 78 5.1 Childcare and family support 79 5.2 Children deprived of a family environment 81 5.3 Children of incarcerated parents 86 5.4 Children with parents or siblings in the Armed Forces 88 5.5 Young carers 89 Chapter 6 Disability, basic health and welfare (Articles. 6, 18(3), 23, 24, 26, 27(1-3) and 33) ................. 91 Case study: Young Gypsy/Travellers rights recognised by the UN Committee 9 2 6.1 Children with disabilities 93 6.2 Health and health services 95 6.3 Mental health 96 6.4 Adolescent health 102 6.5 Nutrition 105 6.6 Environmental health 108 6.7 Standard of living 109 Chapter 7 Education, leisure and cultural activities (Articles 28, 29, 30 and 31) ...................................... 115 Case study: Rape Crisis national prevention programme 116 7.1 Education, including vocational training and guidance 117 7.2 Rest, leisure, recreation and cultural and artistic activities 126 Case Study: Safe spaces for LGBT young people 129 Chapter 8 Special protection measures (Articles 22, 30, 32-36, 37 (b-d), 38, 39, 40) ............................. 131 Case study: Being a child witness in Scotland 132 8.1 Asylum-seeking, refugee and migrant children 133 8.2 Administration of juvenile justice 142 8.3 Child victims and witnesses of crimes 146 8.4 Optional Protocol to the Convention on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography 147 8.5 Children in armed conflict 148 Endnotes Executive summary ........................................................................................................................152 Endnotes State of Children’s Rights in Scotland 2016: ...............................................................................154 Appendix 1: Selected recommendations made through the Universal Periodic Review and international treaty bodies .....................................................................................................185 Appendix 2: Credits .............................................................................................................................................195