Wellbeing

It is recognised that Children's Rights and Wellbeing are at risk during the coronavirus pandemic. It is important to consider this and to support these rights. The Children's Commissioner for Scotland has published a child's rights and wellbeing impact assessment considering the measures have within the context of education:

• Article 2 – The convention applies to every child without discrimination, whatever their ethnicity, sex, religion, language, abilities or any other status, whatever they think or say, whatever their family background

• Article 3 – The best interests of the child must be a primary consideration in all decisions and actions that affect child

• Article 6 - Right to life, survival and development

• Article 12 - – Every child has the right to freely express her or his views, in all matters affecting her or him, and the subsequent right for those views to be given due weight, according to the child's age and maturity.

• 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.

• Article 15 – Every child has the right to freedom of association, to meet with other children and to join groups and organisations.

• Article 23 – A disabled child has the right to live a full and decent life with dignity and, as far as possible, independence and to play an active part in the community. Governments must do all they can to support disabled children and their families.

• Article 24 – Every child has the right to the best possible health. Governments must provide good quality health care, clean water, nutritious food, and a clean environment and education on health and wellbeing so that children can stay healthy.

• 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

• Article 27 – Every child has the right to a standard of living that is good enough to meet their physical and social needs and support their development. Governments must help families who cannot afford to provide this.

• Article 28 – Every child has the right to education that is available and accessible. States should achieve this right progressively and on the basis of equal opportunity.

• Article 29 – Education must develop every child’s personality, talents and abilities to the full. It must encourage the child’s respect for human rights, as well as respect for their parents, their own and other cultures, and the environment.

• Article 31 – Every child has the right to relax, play and take part in a wide range of cultural and artistic activities.

It is important for you to consider the actions required to safeguard the wellbeing of your establishment’s community including children and young people, their families and your staff body in the event of a localised establishment closure. It is important to note the Scottish Government guidance in relation to vulnerable children and young people. In which, a number of sub-groups are identified.

Notably, there is emerging evidence suggesting a number of other sub-groups may need to be considered, such as:

• LGBTQ+ young people

• 'Shielding' children and families

• Black and Minority Ethnic(BME) young people