Children and young people's views

The participation of children and young people in decision-making is a central area of work for Children in Scotland and the organisation has been involved in a variety of projects as well as carrying out consultations on national policy issues.

Consultations with children and young people

National Standards for Asthma Services for Children (2006)

During 2006 Children in Scotland and Asthma UK were commissioned by NHS Quality Improvement Scotland to consult with children and young people and their parents on National Standards for Asthma Services for Children. Children in Scotland carried out focus groups with children and young people and Asthma UK carried out focus groups with parents. This report presents the findings from those focus groups.

Getting it right for every child: Proposals for action Consulting with Children and Young People (2005)

In 2005 Children in Scoland were commissioned by the Scottish Executive to organise and facilitate a series of events with children and young people to explore their views in relation to the consultation paper 'Getting it Right for Every Child- Proposals for Action'. Between July and October we worked with groups of children and young people form across Scotland. This report details their views in relation to the Children's Hearings System.

Enhancing Sexual Wellbeing in Scotland: A Sexual Health and Reationships Strategy (2004)

In April 2002 Children in Scotland and fpa Scotland brought together over 50 young people from different regions in Scotland to examine what sexual health information and support young people need.  Further consultation took place between January and February 2004 to gain young people's opinions on key proposals of the draft sexual health strategy.

Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Civic Participation Events (2003)

This report details the civic participation events carried out with children and young people to gain their views on additional support needs.  This work was carried out independently on behalf of the Education Committee and the views expressed are those of the children and young people who took part.

Putting Our Communities First: A Strategy for Tackling Anti-Social Behaviour (2003)

Children in Scotland spoke to teenagers across Scotland about the Scottish Executive's Strategy for Tackling Anti-Social Behaviour and submitted this consultation response on their behalf.

Manifesto 2003 (Scottish Parliament elections)In preparation for the 2003 Scottish Parliament elections Children in Scotland asked over 1000 children and young people what they wanted the Parliament to do for children, young people and their families. This manifesto reflects their headline issues and was disseminated widely, including political parties.


Having your say at school (2002)

Children in Scotland talked to 46 young people from around Scotland about: the best way to give their views, attending meetings, proposals for keyworkers, current involvement in decision making, and the implications of the Education (Disability Strategies and Pupils’ Educational Records) (Scotland) Act 2002.

Hungry for success – a whole school approach to school meals in Scotland (2002)
Children in Scotland submitted a consultation response to this report from the Expert Panel on School Meals based on a website questionnaire to which 681 children and young people responded.

Children and young people’s report (2003)
Children in Scotland and Save the Children produced a children and young people’s version of the Scottish Executive’s response to the issues raised in the National Debate on Education.

Reaching young people (2002)
As part of the Scottish Executive’s National Debate on Education Children in Scotland and Save the Children worked to involve children and young people who might otherwise not have their voices heard in ‘mainstream’ responses to the debate. A consultation response ‘Reaching young people’ was submitted on behalf of the children and young people who took part.

The best days of your life? (2002)
A report ‘The best days of your life?’ was also produced detailing the children and young people’s views and key messages.

Assessing our children’s education needs, the way forward (2001/02)
This consultation was the precursor to the production of the draft Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Bill. Children in Scotland was asked by the Scottish Executive to find out the views of children and young people with additional support needs.

Manifesto 2001 (UK general election)

The Way Forward  (2001)

Children in Scotland was asked by the Scottish Executive to find outthe views of children and young people on ‘Assessing our Children’s Education Needs’. Our consultation aimed to discover key issues forgroups of children and young people with special educational needs (SEN), relating to questions posed in the Scottish Executive’s paper.