Scotland: State of Children’s Rights Report 2026
Each year, Eurochild member Together (Scottish Alliance for Children's Rights) monitors Scotland’s implementation of the UNCRC. This year’s edition highlights case studies of organisations applying a children’s human rights approach in their work to share learning and ideas.
Scotland took the momentous step to incorporate the UNCRC (United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child) into Scots Law in 2024, but this, on its own, does not guarantee change. The gap between law and practice can be bridged when organisations and individuals use the five principles of a children’s human rights approach to shape culture, leadership, policies, services and relationships.
Structured around the five principles – embedding, equality and non-discrimination, empowerment, participation and accountability – the case studies ensure that this report is a practical resource that will help Scotland’s workforce ensure they respect, protect and fulfil children’s rights.
As the case studies across this report show, realising children’s rights is not achieved by legislation alone. It depends on the everyday decisions, practice, culture and relationships within the services and systems that support babies, children and young people – and a children’s human rights approach can help deliver this.
Across Scotland, organisations are already demonstrating aspects of what a children’s human rights approach looks like in practice. They are embedding children’s rights into planning and decision‑making; addressing inequality and discrimination; empowering children with accessible information and meaningful opportunities; supporting genuine participation; and strengthening accountability.
The work ahead will require continued ambition and collective effort. But the evidence throughout this report shows that Scotland is already building a culture where children’s rights are understood, valued and acted upon. Incorporation was never the final goal – it is the beginning of a long‑term transformation that will benefit generations to come.
