The Improvement Service is collecting case studies that highlight how children’s human rights are being put into practice across Scotland’s local authorities with the aim to foster mutual learning and support the integration of children’s rights into everyday practices across Scotland.
You can find the collection of case studies on our website with a wider range of practices covered across Scotland.
We welcome case studies from any area of policy or practice with no restrictions on timing or specific outcomes. We are especially interested in examples from service areas not traditionally associated with children and young people, such as transport, housing, or the environment.
If you have an example of practice that you would like to share with us, you can access our case study template. We are also happy to arrange a meeting to discuss your example of practice and we can write up the case study for you. For more information, please get in touch with Rebecca Spillane or Felicia Szloboda.
Case Studies
Developing a children’s rights plan in Dumfries and Galloway
This case study outlines the approach taken jointly by Dumfries and Galloway Council and NHS Dumfries and Galloway to the development of their 2020-23 Children’s Rights Report and Future Action Plan. The joint report outlines what is going well, what needs to improve and what the council and NHS should do next.
Child-friendly reporting in Argyll & Bute Council
Argyll and Bute Council worked with www.listenthinkdraw.co.uk to create an illustrated UNCRC plan that is more accessible to everyone.
Amplifying youth voice in Aberdeenshire
Since 2020, Aberdeenshire has been committed to engaging local residents in developing policies, practices, and training tools to address key issues like fuel poverty, housing, and child poverty. A significant gap identified in this process was the underrepresentation of young people's voices in decision-making. In response, a pilot project was launched to explore a rights-based approach for youth involvement, which has since evolved into a comprehensive programme that empowers young people to shape policies and actions affecting their lives.
Integrated Impact Assessment by South Ayrshire Council
South Ayrshire Council developed an Integrated Impact Assessment (IIA) to improve decision-making by systematically evaluating the impact of policies on various community groups.
Leadership in East Lothian
Inspired by the work of the children from Tranent who participated in StreetsAhead Tranent Project, East Lothian Council set an early commitment and intention to work towards becoming an organisation who place children’s rights at the heart of all that they do.
Children's Rights and Wellbeing Impact Assessment in East Lothian Council
East Lothian Council has been actively embedding Children's Rights and Wellbeing Impact Assessments (CRWIA) within its structures to ensure the rights of children are at the forefront of policymaking and service delivery. This case study explores the Council's approach, challenges, and future steps in implementing CRWIA.
Implementing the Inverclyde Rights of the Child (IROC) Award
Inverclyde Council embarked on a transformative journey to better integrate children’s rights into their services and operational ethos through the IROC Award – Inverclyde Rights of the Child, a recognition programme co-designed with children and young people to encourage and celebrate the effective implementation of children's rights within organisations.
Advancing children's rights in the justice system in Perth and Kinross
Perth and Kinross Council received funding from the Scottish Government’s UNCRC Innovation Fund to raise awareness amongst professionals about the impact of the justice journey on children and young people.
Supporting care-experienced children and young people in Edinburgh
This practice examples focuses on how the City of Edinburgh Council is embedding a children’s rights-based approach in its support for care-experienced children and young people, through cross-sector collaboration, professional learning, and tailored interventions.
Social inclusion and stigma reduction in Fife
Fife Council has implemented initiatives focused on reducing poverty and social stigma, prioritising children's rights through the Cash First programme and Food4Fife Strategy. These initiatives aim to provide financial support and ensure dignified access to healthy food, particularly for families facing economic challenges.
Rights-based approach to waste management in the Highlands
Highland Council carried out a Children's Rights and Wellbeing Impact Assessment when proposing changes to its waste and recycling collections to ensure that families with young and/or disabled children would not be adversely affected.
Borders Additional Needs Group: UNCRC Summer Camp 2025
This case study demonstrates how to create an inclusive summer camp for children and young people with additional support needs. It highlights ways to uphold their right to equality and protection from discrimination (Article 2), while also acknowledging their right to special care and assistance (Article 23) as well as their right to participate in decisions affecting them (Article 12).
To the City: A Neurodivergent Adventure Arcade Machine
The Arcade Machine is an interactive gaming project co-designed by Borders Additional Needs Group (B.A.N.G) and Alchemy Film & Arts. This innovative initiative engages young people in conversations about the everyday experiences of neurodivergent young people. It demonstrates how our environments, public spaces and societal attitudes can either support or hinder the realisation of children’s human rights.
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Improving outcomes for people and communities affected by poverty, inequality, trauma and adversity: Joining the dots across key policy agendas (briefing)
There are a number of key policy agendas that are part of a broader ambition to improve outcomes for people and communities across Scotland affected by poverty, inequality, trauma and adversity. This briefing highlights the links across these and explores opportunities for re-framing these multiple policy ambitions as opportunities to work together around the common goal of improving outcomes for people and communities.
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Improving outcomes for people and communities affected by poverty, inequality, trauma and adversity: joining the dots across key policy agendas (infographic)
This infographic provides an overview of a small number of key national policy agendas, approaches and commitments, all designed to support a cross-policy, person-centred approach to improving outcomes for people and communities across Scotland affected by poverty, inequality, trauma and adversity.