Our approach to embedding UNCRC

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) (Scotland) Act 2024 came into effect in July 2024. This is also known as the UNCRC.

North Ayrshire Council has a key focus on embedding children's rights and UNCRC duties in the work of the council. It is recognised that there is a strong practice already in place to promote and embed children's rights across many services.

The UNCRC Act provided important protection for the human rights of children and young people in Scotland, and its implementation will further a culture of everyday accountability for children's rights.

There are a number of elements to the Act which apply to North Ayrshire Council. These include:

• the council is not allowed to act in a way that is incompatible with the UNCRC requirements
• children, young people, and their representatives will have the power to go to court to enforce their rights
• courts will have the power to decide if legislation is compatible with the UNCRC requirements
• existing legislation will have to be read in a way that is compatible with the UNCRC requirements wherever possible
• the Scottish Government will be able to change laws to make sure they are compatible with the UNCRC requirements
• the Children and Young People's Commissioner Scotland and Scottish Human Rights Commission will have powers to take legal action to protect children's rights
• the council must report every three years on what they are doing to meet the UNCRC requirements

For more details, you can read the legislation in full.

Child friendly complaints

North Ayrshire Council has guidance on youth friendly complaints procedures.

Other key resources

There is other resources available for further information:

• UNCRC Articles Archive - The Children and Young People's Commissioner Scotland
• Taking a children's human rights approach: Scottish Government guidance
• Scottish Alliance for Children’s Rights - State of Children's Rights report