TITLE OF DEVELOPING PRACTICE EXAMPLE
Children's Parliament Investigates - How Professionals Make Children’s Rights Real
Children's Parliament Investigates - How Professionals Make Children’s Rights Real
Children's Parliament Project Workers have been working with children in Banchory and St Serf’s primary schools in Tullibody, in partnership with Clackmannanshire Council (and another two schools in East Lothian) on a project aimed at supporting the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) while it is incorporated into Scots law. Professionals who work with children in all sorts of capacities are duty-bearers – we all share a duty to make sure that children are happy, healthy and safe and that their human dignity is upheld, by promoting children’s rights.
The children involved in this project worked with professionals to develop resources to explain how we should all be acting to uphold children's human rights. In collaboration with staff from Clackmannanshire Council, key staff members were identified and the Children’s Parliament then invited these adults, who work with children in the local community, to work alongside them on creative activities aimed at facilitating conversations with them about their role and the interactions that they have with children whilst at work. The sessions they held contributed to a training resource co-produced by the young people and Children's Parliament which will be rolled out nationally.
The key to the success of this project was ensuring that young people’s voices were at the heart of the planning process. Their integral role ensured that there was no risk of adults making decisions that affect young people without involving them.
A group of P6 pupils in Clackmannanshire have been working on Children's Parliament Investigates - How Professionals Make Children’s Rights Real. In the last few months, the children have been busy co-producing a range of practical resources for adults to use to make children’s rights real in their jobs, and to provide practical tips on gathering children’s views. These online interactive resources were officially launched by the Members of the Children’s Parliament (MCPs) at an event at Tullibody Civic Centre on 4th May 2022. This event was attended by the Strategic Director of People at Clackmannanshire Council, alongside officers of the council, parents, carers and citizens in the wider community. The children proudly presented their resources, including a short film they had made about UNCRC. They went on to share their experiences of participation and the co-production process. All attendees were given the opportunity to try out the new interactive resources, as well as signing up to be an ‘Unfeartie’, an individual who is courageous in discussing children’s issues, making a difference to their lives and who are willing to speak up for and stand alongside children. These resources and supportive tools will be shared with our establishments to support the implementation of the UNCRC legislation, as well as added to all social media platforms. The Children’s Parliament will continue to work with young people across our Cluster of schools to ensure these resources are embedded in practice.
Clackmannanshire
Catriona Scott