United Nation's Convention on the Rights of the Child

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) is a legally-binding international agreement setting out the civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights of every child, regardless of their race, religion or abilities. The UNCRC has 54 articles that cover all aspects of a child’s life.  

We are committed to ensuring the UNCRC is at the heart of everything we do. Many of the rights within the UNCRC align with the services that we provide for young people. From opportunities to learn about topics that are important to them – through to taking part in volunteering opportunities and sharing power with decision-makers.  

By embedding the UNCRC in our services, we support young people to understand, claim and exercise their rights including: 

Article 12 

Every child has the right to express their views, feelings and wishes in all matters affecting them, and to have their views considered and taken seriously. 

Young people design and drive our organisational strategic vision by volunteering on our #VisionMakers group. Young people entirely led our strategic plan for 2022-25. 

Young people help to design policy and services on behalf of local and national organisations through our Young Scot Hive #YSHive volunteering opportunities. 

Young people have their voices heard by taking part in our surveys and insights projects that help influence decision-making at a local and national level. 

Article 13

Every child must be free to express their thoughts and opinions and to access all kinds of information, as long as it is within the law. 

Young people share their voices and views by creating content that we share on young.scot and on our social media channels such as TikTok and Instagram. 

Young people share their stories, lived experience and views via our #YSObservatory insight service.

Article 17

Every child has the right to reliable information from a variety of sources, and governments should encourage the media to provide information that children can understand. 

Governments must help protect children from materials that could harm them. 

Young people get access to quality-assured information that’s created especially for them on young.scot and our social media channels. Our information output aligns with the European Youth Information and Counselling Agency' European Quality Label' for youth information. 

Article 26

Every child has the right to benefit from social security. Governments must provide social security, including financial support and other benefits, to families in need of assistance. 

Young carers get help to make the most of their free time with the Young Carers Package #YSCarers, which was co-designed by young carers and includes opportunities to help them in their caring role and to make the most of their free time. 

Young people get free bus travel if they’re under 22 – and others get discounted public transport on trains and ferries with their Young Scot National Entitlement Card. 

Young people who are facing barriers to their attainment get targeted support such as access to food and leisure services from #YSAttain programme. 

Article 29

Your education should help you use and develop your talents and abilities. It should also help you learn to live peacefully, protect the environment and respect other people. 

Young people develop specialist skills around their areas of interest - including climate change and rights - with our Young Scot Hive #YSHive volunteering opportunities. 

Young people access essential information that’s created especially for them via young.scot and our social media channels. 

Article 31

Every child has the right to relax, play and take part in a wide range of cultural and artistic activities. 

Young people save money and have fun with 1000s of local and national discounts across Scotland and Europe, along with 100s of online discounts. 

Young people can take part in exciting opportunities, gain exclusive rewards and money-can’t-buy experiences using Young Scot Rewards where they can earn points they can exchange for Young Scot Rewards, including tickets for events, work-shadowing opportunities, study guides, apps, vouchers, book tokens, laptops and cameras. 

Young people use their free Young Scot National Entitlement Card for discounts, legal proof of age, and more... 

Article 42

Everyone should know about the UNCRC. 

Young people get help to identify and claim their rights from our UNCRC awareness-raising campaigns. which includes articles, videos, podcasts, and quizzes for young people that translate the UNCRC into everyday examples of rights being upheld.  

Read more about the UNCRC and its impact for children and young people in Scotland.