New report highlights gaps in children’s healthcare across Scotland

The Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland is supporting a new report from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) Scotland that calls for urgent action to improve community health services for children and young people.

Statement: Children’s Commissioners unite to call for ban on legal assault of children in UK 

The Commissioner, Nicola Killean and the children’s commissioners from England, Wales, and Northern Ireland are urging Westminster to give every child in the UK the same protection from assault as adults. 

“Study Support sessions with e-Sgoil were great – it was a very flexible way of learning”

Exam season has started for young people in Scotland, and Robert, 16, shares how he prepared for his exams last year by using e-Sgoil’s Study Support programme.

Statement: Response to CMA view on youth football investigation 

In December 2024, we and campaigners RealGrassroots complained to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) about the treatment of child footballers by the Scottish Football Association (SFA) and the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL). We have been fighting for child footballers’ rights to be protected for many years, and little change in this time left us with no choice. The CMA’s view is that they won’t investigate, but we hope they will reconsider.

Commissioner highlights support programme for headteachers with positive impact on children’s rights 

Headteachers in the Highlands and Moray are making the most of an innovative support programme – and children are reaping the benefits too.  

Commissioner: Education reform’s glacial pace and wrong focus fails children  

The Children and Young People’s Commissioner has urged the Scottish Government and authorities to urgently redesign education, so it works for ALL children.   Commissioner Nicola Killean has made recommendations to improve the education system in a new report – warning that too many children are failing to thrive in the current set-up.

New film showcases Young Advisors’ work to improve education in Scotland

Our group of Young Advisors have been working with us on the challenges young people face in education and share their learning in a film launched today.

Spreading joy – thousands of children join Commissioner’s happiness assembly  

Children had a laugh together celebrating UN International Day of Happiness at a special online assembly.   Children’s Commissioner Nicola Killean hosted the BSL-interpreted assembly for primary-aged children, with Saif, 16, who is a member of the Commissioner’s Young Advisors group.

Statement: Commissioner supports Bill on restraint and seclusion

Children and Young People’s Commissioner welcomes Daniel Johnson MSP’s Bill, which introduces legally enforceable guidelines on restraint and seclusion in educational settings, but urges Scottish Government to extend protection to all settings where children are its care..

Statement: Commissioner responds to Audit Scotland report on additional support for learning

Nicola Killean, Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland, said: “Too many children are being failed by an education system that does not deliver their rights. Audit Scotland’s deeply concerning report reveals that when it comes to additional support for learning, for children in Scotland the ‘scale of unmet need is unknown’.