Groups

Scotland's Children's Sector Forum

Scotland’s Children’s Sector Forum brings together Children in Scotland’s diverse, nationwide membership – including charities, local authorities, community groups, professional associations and individuals – to form a united voice influencing policy on behalf of children and their families.

The Forum exists to find clever, practical and effective ways to work together to create results of enduring value to our sector – and to the children, young people and families with whom, and for whom, we work throughout Scotland.

Any member of Children in Scotland can take part in Forum activity without additional cost. If the organisation or agency for which you work is currently in membership, then you are welcome to take part in the Forum. Please email policy@childreninscotland.org.uk to make sure you are on the Forum mailing list.

The Forum meets at least twice per year on dates scheduled well in advance. There may be occasion for additional events throughout the year around specific, time-sensitive issues, for example, proposed amendments to important legislation. We will seek to be as inclusive as possible by sharing ideas and experience online. The Forum has formed a number of working groups to discuss the Scottish Government's proposed Children and Young People Bill.

More information about the Forum is available on our members pages.

Involving Children and Young People in the policy making process

In April 2011 The Centre for Research on Families and Relationships (CRFR) at the University of Edinburgh, Barnardo’s Scotland and Children in Scotland formed a partnership for a year-long initiative to assist the Forum in developing meaningful, sustainable and effective ways of involving children and young people in influencing the policy making process. This initiative was funded by the Economic and Social Research Council and aims to disseminate its findings widely to a broad audience of policy makers, practitioners and academics.

Click here to read the August 2012 magazine supplement on this work

Forum briefings

• Children and young people’s participation in policy-making: Making it meaningful, effective and sustainable (December 2011)
• What the Government's Programme for Scotland means for
  children, young people and their families (September 2011)
• New government promises for children, young people and their  families (July 2011)
• Age Discrimination Briefing (May 2011)
• Early Years Pre-election Briefing (May 2011)

Cross Party Group on Children and Young People in the Scottish Parliament

The Cross Party Group on Children and Young People works to have issues affecting children and young people recognised and discussed throughout the work of the Scottish Parliament, so that the needs and rights of children and young people are met throughout Scotland.

Children in Scotland and Youthlink Scotland serve as the secretariat to the Group.

Next meeting

The next meeting will take place on Thursday 16th May.

Last meeting

The last meeting took place on Thursday 14th March 2013 on the theme of access to sport.

Previous minutes from Cross Party Group meetings and information on the membership of the Group are now available on the Scottish Parliament website.

Please contact scollier@childreninscotland.org.uk to join the Cross Party Group mailing list.