Respecting Children's Voices
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In Scotland, respecting children's voices is a fundamental commitment, now enshrined in law under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) (Scotland) Act 2024, which came into force on 16th July 2024. This landmark legislation makes it unlawful for public authorities to act incompatibly with UNCRC requirements, including Article 12, which guarantees children the right to express their views freely on all matters affecting them and to have these views given due weight. By legally embedding these rights, Scotland is fostering a culture where young people are not just heard, but their opinions are actively considered and can influence decisions, leading to more effective and child-centered policies and practices across the nation. This also upholds their inherent dignity.
Creating spaces where children feel heard and their views are taken seriously, Scotland can foster a generation of engaged, empowered, and confident citizens, strengthening the very fabric of our society.
Engaging with children and young people
The Lundy Model of Participation is deeply rooted in Article 12 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), which grants every child the right to express their views freely on all matters affecting them and to have those views given due weight. The model operationalizes this right through its four interconnected elements:
Space ensures children have safe and inclusive opportunities to form and express their views, directly aligning with Article 12's emphasis on the freedom of expression.
Voice focuses on facilitating children's expression, recognizing that support may be needed for them to articulate their perspectives, echoing the spirit of ensuring every child can be heard.
Audience mandates that these views are listened to by someone with the power to make a change, highlighting the need for children's voices to reach those who can act upon them.
Finally, Influence underscores that children's views must be taken seriously and acted upon appropriately, directly addressing Article 12's requirement that their opinions are given due weight in accordance with their age and maturity. Thus, the Lundy Model provides a practical framework for upholding the principles enshrined in Article 12, moving beyond mere consultation to genuine participation that shapes decisions.
Engagement Cycle for seeking views.pdfPlan - do - review
The Engagement Cycle to the left explains an easy way to gather feedback. It’s a simple process with three steps: Plan, Do, and Review. This process helps you organize how you'll collect feedback, figure out the details, and make sure everyone can share their thoughts openly. It also highlights how important it is to check if your feedback method worked well and to use what you learn to improve how you gather feedback in the future.
Guidance for adults who wish to engage with children to collect feedback on polices, services and decisions to be made can be found below.
Engagement methods and guidance for any child or young personPage updated
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