Information for children and young people during coronavirus and lockdown

We've been adding information to our Coronavirus Support and Information Hub which we hope will be useful for children and young people and those looking after and supporting them.

Latest

Rights of Attendance at Children's Hearings

This case study addresses commonly asked questions about the rights of attendance in children's hearings: who has the right to attend, does the child have to go, who can be the child's representative and other considerations.
Current Vacancies

We are hiring an Impact and Evidence Lead, Fundraising Manager and Office Manager
Clan Childlaw responds to the Children's Care and Justice Bill consultation

27 Jun 2022 | Clan Childlaw has submitted a response to the Scottish Government consultation on the Children's Care and Justice Bill. Our submission focused on the need to uphold the human rights of children who are in conflict with the law in Scotland.
Update on the UNCRC Bill in Scotland

25 May 2022 | Yesterday the Scottish Government announced how it plans to bring the UNCRC Bill within the Scottish Parliament’s devolved powers following the Supreme Court ruling in October 2021.

Clan Childlaw responds to the Children's Care and Justice Bill consultation

27 Jun 2022 | Clan Childlaw has submitted a response to the Scottish Government consultation on the Children's Care and Justice Bill. Our submission focused on the need to uphold the human rights of children who are in conflict with the law in Scotland.
Update on the UNCRC Bill in Scotland

25 May 2022 | Yesterday the Scottish Government announced how it plans to bring the UNCRC Bill within the Scottish Parliament’s devolved powers following the Supreme Court ruling in October 2021.
Clan Childlaw raises concerns about proposed changes to homelessness legislation

The Scottish Government is working on new laws aimed at preventing homelessness. Clan Childlaw is concerned that the proposals could represent a serious loss of rights for 16- and 17-year-olds who are experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness.
Changes to eviction law as Scotland moves away from coronavirus restrictions

Scottish law around evictions changed on 30 March and some of the protections that were in place during the pandemic have been removed. The new law applies to all tenants who are asked to leave their home after this date.
Mind the Rights Gap - Upholding the human rights of children who are in conflict with the law

Clan Childlaw is launching a project to explore the need for specialist rights-focused lawyers to work alongside criminal lawyers to uphold the human rights of children who are in conflict with the law.
Clan Childlaw calls for a child-friendly legal aid system

The legal aid system in Scotland expects children and young people to navigate a complicated system which is not designed to meet their needs. Clan Childlaw is calling for changes to create a more child-friendly and accessible legal aid system.
Raising the age of criminal responsibility – a step in the right direction

The age at which a child can be charged with a crime has risen from 8 to 12. Clan Childlaw welcomes this change but cautions that Scotland should be aiming much higher.
Clan Childlaw welcomes funding to tackle care experienced homelessness

Funding from the Scottish Government will support the expansion of Clan Childlaw's work to reduce the number of care leavers experiencing homelessness.
Brothers and Sisters - The right to be together, be heard, and participate

Clan Childlaw co-hosted a webinar with Who Cares? Scotland to help support implementation of the new Scottish laws on brothers and sisters in care. A free recording of the webinar is now available.
Clan Childlaw welcomes changes to the law for brothers and sisters in Scotland

Press Release: 26 July 2021. On 26 July, the law is changing as the Children (Scotland) Act 2020 and changing regulations give new rights to siblings in Scotland. The new law emphasises the importance of ensuring brothers and sisters live together whenever possible.

Access to Records
What changes will the Children (Scotland) Act 2020 make for children and young people?

The Children (Scotland) Act 2020 improves legal protection for children's right to be heard in courts and children's hearings and their right to a family life with their brothers and sisters - this blog explains the changes it will make
What we do

Clan Childlaw is Scotland's law centre for children and young people. We protect and strengthen children’s rights and improve their lives.
Changes to the Law for Brothers and Sisters

On 26 July 2021, the law changed on what local authorities and Children’s Hearings have to do to support brothers and sisters.
Sibling rights

We have long called for the law to be changed to prioritise care experienced children and young people's sibling relationships and are delighted that these changes are now law
Current Vacancies

We are hiring an Impact and Evidence Lead, Fundraising Manager and Office Manager
Are you a child or young person without British citizenship? Here’s some advice on how to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme

Children and young people, including care leavers, must apply to the EU Settlement scheme if they are an EU, EEA or Swiss national. The deadline to apply is 30 June 2021.
UNCRC in Scotland: What does the UK Government’s legal challenge mean?

Our Legal Policy Manager Janet Cormack explains what has happened so far with UNCRC in Scotland and what could happen next.
Child law case summaries

Summaries of cases undertaken by Clan Childlaw.
Law student essay competition

To mark our 10-year anniversary, we asked law students around Scotland: What is the biggest children’s rights issue in Scotland and how can the law be used to resolve it? Congratulations to winner Michael Malvenda!