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Children and Young People

This page tells you about the Scottish Police Authority's Corporate Parenting Plan.

The Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 requires the Authority to take steps, within its areas of responsibility, to secure better or further effect of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).

The UNCRC (Incorporation) (Scotland) Act 2024 came into force on 16 July 2024 to achieve a culture of everyday accountability for children's rights across public services in Scotland.

The Act also defines the Authority as a Corporate Parent. This means ensuring that those with care experience are afforded the opportunities to flourish. How we do this is set out in our Corporate Parenting Plan. You can view our Corporate Parenting Plan in ‘Related Content’ below.

Children's Rights

The rights of children and young people are laid out in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). This outlines what children need if they are to have the best chance of growing up happy, healthy and safe. It also explains how adults and governments should work together to make sure that all children can access all their rights.

The Authority publishes a Children's Rights Report every three years, which sets  out what the Authority has undertaken; to ensure that the rights of children are upheld and to put children’s rights at the forefront of decision making. See ‘Related Content’ for reporting.

Corporate Parenting

The Authority’s main function is to promote and improve policing in Scotland and to make sure that Scotland’s policing serves the public as well as possible. In our Corporate Parenting Plan, we describe how we will make sure that policing in Scotland supports care experienced children and young people in particular. The plan shows ways for the Authority to deliver positive change in our engagement with the care experienced community.


Related Content

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Children's Rights Report 2020-23

Published: 12 December 2023

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Children's Rights Report 2017 - 2020

Published: 16 February 2023

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Corporate Parenting Plan 2021-2024

Published: 22 February 2023

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Places of Safety for Children in Conflict with the Law

Published: 22 August 2023

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Children in Custody

Published: 18 August 2023

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Children in Custody - Public Briefing - April 2023

Published: 18 April 2023