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SECTION 2: FAIRNESS AND EQUALITY
THERE ARE IMPORTANT PROMISES IN THE UNCRC ABOUT FAIRNESS AND EQUALITY. THE UNCRC SAYS:
- Rights belong to everyone - that includes you! Nobody should treat you unfairly because of who you are.
- When adults make a decision about you it is what's best for you that should be the most important thing to consider. You must have your say too.
- You have the right to life and to be healthy.
The Government has said that PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME RIGHTS whatever their race, ethnic background, religion or ability, whether they are male or female, and if they are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. There have been new laws passed to help PROTECT PEOPLE FROM DISCRIMINATION.
Most YOUNG PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES go to mainstream school. The others go to special schools. The Government was interested in making sure school pupils with extra needs get the support they need to make the most of school and passed a law about ADDITIONAL SUPPORT NEEDS.
53,883 CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE WERE REFERRED TO THE REPORTER AT THE CHILDREN'S HEARINGS IN 2006. More and more young people are referred every year. A lot of work has gone into making the CHILDREN'S HEARING SYSTEM better. You can be referred to a Hearing because you are not being cared for properly or because it is believed you have committed a crime. At a Hearing you have the right to have your say. You can ask for legal support to protect your rights.
After a Hearing, if someone needs special help and support, they might be given a supervision requirement and a social worker will work to make sure their needs are met. About 13,000 children and young people in Scotland have a supervision requirement; sometimes this is called being LOOKED AFTER (we use this term in this report) and this can happen when you are living at home or with a relative, another family or in residential care.
In 2005 the Government produced a report called GETTING IT RIGHT FOR EVERY CHILD which was about how young people get the help or support they need. It said that if professional people pay attention to this report it will be easier to get help when you or your family need it.
We'll mention a few times in this booklet that you have a right to HAVE YOUR SAY when adults make a decision that has an effect on you. In Scotland THE LEGAL SYSTEM IS SUPPOSED TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF YOUR VIEWS, say like if your parents are getting a divorce, or maybe you want to have contact with both your grandparents when your Mum or Dad split up.
If you are LOOKED AFTER it is especially important that you have your say about what is happening to you. If you are 16 AND LEAVING CARE the Government identified that this can be a difficult time and that you need extra help to stay in school or go to college and have somewhere safe and settled to stay. The Government supports the agency Who Cares? Scotland to give advice and support if you have been in care; contact details are on the inside back page of this booklet.
The Government supports the Scottish Youth Parliament and the Children's Parliament so that children can have a say and be active citizens. Go to www.scottishyouthparliament.org.ukor www.childrensparliament.org.ukfor more info.
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