Commissioner supports proposal for law to ensure youth work provision

Children and Young People’s Commissioner, Nicola Killean fully supports a proposal to make sure that children across Scotland have access to well-funded, and high-quality youth work services. Speaking on the launch of the Martin Whitfield MSP’s proposed Youth Work (Scotland Bill), the Children’s Commissioner was clear that youth work is rights work, and it is critical that it is accessible and delivered for all children.

Thousands of children gather at Commissioner’s climate rights assembly  

More than 15,000 children discussed how climate change affects their human rights and how young people in Scotland are taking action at a special online assembly.

Police use of force on children investigated by Children’s Commissioner

The Children and Young People’s Commissioner has launched an investigation into police use of force against children. Figures show children are more than twice as likely as adults to experience use of force by the police in Scotland.

Commissioner brings children’s rights to life for Book Week Scotland

Children and Young People’s Commissioner, Nicola Killean, marked #BookWeekScotland by sharing a video reading of our special book ‘Let’s Explore Our Rights.’ The book takes young readers on a journey to discover rights like having a safe home, being healthy, learning, and playing.

Care experienced children must be supported to claim their rights, says Children’s Commissioner

Speaking at the inaugural Kibble annual conference in Glasgow, Commissioner Nicola Killean warned that much more needs to be done to keep The Promise – the Scottish Government’s commitment that care experienced children will grow up loved, safe, and respected.

Commissioner Nicola Killean responds to Scottish Government guidance on ‘physical intervention in schools’

Six years ago, the Scottish Government promised to issue guidance on restraint and seclusion, to review it after a year, and place it on a statutory footing if it wasn’t working. It is very concerning that it has taken so long just to get to this first step.

Youth work is rights work, and it needs to be properly resourced, says Children’s Commissioner 

Children and Young People’s Commissioner Nicola Killean emphasised the critical role youth workers play in upholding children’s rights at the YouthLink conference in Glasgow today, urging protection for youth services from budget cuts.

Celebrate World Children’s Day with the Commissioner at an interactive assembly with BSL interpretation

Join the Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland for a special online assembly on climate change and children’s rights! Commissioner Nicola Killean and young guests will lead an interactive session with BSL interpretation on Wednesday, 20 November, World Children’s Day. Children will learn about the link between climate change and their rights, hear from peers who have led local climate campaigns, and share their own views with others across Scotland.

Our evidence to Scottish Parliament: “Children and young people want to see fundamental change in education” 

We have given evidence to the Education, Children and Young People Committee at the Scottish Parliament as they considered the Education (Scotland) Bill, which proposes replacing the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) with Qualifications Scotland (QS) and establishing an independent HM Chief Inspector of Education. 

Young people need much more than Scottish Government’s ‘tentative steps’ to improve education, urges Children’s Commissioner

Children and Young People’s Commissioner, Nicola Killean, has criticised the Scottish Government’s lack of commitment to comprehensive education reform following the Hayward Review on qualifications and assessments. Highlighting the absence of clear timelines and allocated resources, Killean called for urgent action to address young people’s needs. Education experts, including Professor Louise Hayward, Angela Morgan, and Professor Ken Muir, echoed her concerns, emphasising the need for swift and meaningful reforms to reduce exam pressure and create a more inclusive education system.