Your Rights
In Scotland, children and young people have rights by law.
This section will help you understand more about what that means for you, your learning and your support.
What are rights?
Rights are like rules, or promises, about how people should be treated.
Rights help make sure that everyone is treated fairly. Rights exist to help keep you healthy, happy and safe!
What are children’s rights?
Everybody has rights, no matter who you are, where you are from, what language you speak or what age you are. Children’s rights are rights that are just for children.
Children have a human rights law that’s just for them. It’s called the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, or UNCRC for short.
Why do children’s rights matter?
There are many reasons why children’s rights are important, some of these reasons include:
- All children and young people are individuals, not extensions of their families. They are equal to adults.
- The views of children and young people should be considered and valued, especially when decisions are being made that would effect them.
- Children and young people are very important to the future of our countries and society. Ignoring children and young people now would not be good as they grow into adults.
Children’s rights are there to help you reach your full potential. Reach can help you find out more about how to use your rights at school.
Find out what the UNCRC is and what it means for you.
Information about your rights in Scotland and how you can use them in school.
Find out about how the law can help you use the rights you have.
Find out what GIRFEC is and what it means for you and your support.