products
Children’s rights in practice: Taking a children’s rights-based approach in local authorities

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 here. 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@improvementservice.org.uk and Felicia.Szloboda@improvementservice.org.uk.

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.

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.