The Children and Young People's Commissioner Scotland

Bruce Adamson is leaving his position as the Children and Young People’s Commissioner after a six-year term. In his farewell message, he expresses gratitude to the children and young people of Scotland for their incredible efforts in using their rights to improve their communities and the world. Bruce brought a fresh approach to participation by involving young advisors and prioritising their ideas and experiences. He will be succeeded by Nicola Killean in the autumn. Bruce leaves behind a legacy of advocating for children’s rights, and he receives heartfelt thanks from Ally and Faye for his work and support.

Discover the exciting new initiative by the Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland and Scouts Scotland, empowering children as young as four to earn their Rights Challenge Badge. Engage your Squirrels and Beavers with fun activities, promoting awareness of children’s rights and fostering their voices within the community. Join thousands of young Scouts on this educational journey, building dens, creating slime, and designing human rights shields. Learn, play, and become true human rights defenders. Get involved today!

Let’s Explore Our Rights” teaches young children about their human rights. The book which features iconic Scots landmarks is aimed at children aged up to five. It was beautifully illustrated by Corinna Campbell and takes readers on a journey to discover rights like having a safe home, being healthy, learning, and playing. The book will support early years practitioners to spark first conversations about human rights with very young children. The book was created in response to requests from early years pract

Young Advisors to the Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland used the office’s powers of investigation to examine the provision of counselling services in schools. It is believed to be the first time young people anywhere in the world have used a children’s commissioner’s legal powers to lead an investigation.

It is unacceptable that the Home Secretary seeks to blame and punish children and families in vulnerable circumstances for the consequences of decisions made by herself and her predecessors, including the ever-growing asylum backlog, and abhorrent use of hotel accommodation.During the tenure of our first Children and Young People’s Commissioner, Professor Kathleen Marshall, Scotland refused to tolerate Home Office detention of children in Dungavel detention centre. Over 18 years later, the time span of a whole childhood, I am appalled at the prospect of these barbaric practices returning.

Bruce Adamson, Children and Young People’s Commissioner:   “It is of little surprise to learn today that the Secretary of State for the Department for Energy Security has not been reassured