History of the Commissioner

The Commissioner’s job has a history. People have been discussing the rights of children and young people for a long time in Scotland, the UK and the wider world.

The UN and you

The United Nations, or UN, is a group of governments from around the world. They work to try and make the world a more peaceful place.

In 1989, the UN created the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, or UNCRC. This agreement set out the rights of children and young people and was accepted by nearly every country in the world― including the United Kingdom. Find out more about the UNCRC.

Scotland steps in

Scotland’s first Commissioner for Children and Young People began work in 2004, after many organisations told the Scottish Government that young people like you should have a new voice to stand up for your rights.

The first Commissioner was called Kathleen Marshall. She spoke and listened to many children and young people, and they helped her decide what the best way was to promote and protect their rights. During the five years she was Commissioner, Kathleen and her team worked hard and accomplished a lot for the children and young people of Scotland.

Tam takes over

In 2008 Kathleen announced that she would step down as Commissioner, and the current Commissioner – Tam Baillie – started work in 2009.

Children and young people from all over the country helped choose Tam as their current Commissioner. They interviewed him about how he would help young people know more about their rights, and found out his plans for the job by asking him lots of questions.

Looking to the future

Tam still needs children and young people to talk to him so he can help make their lives better. , and tell them how you think the lives of children and young people in Scotland can be improved.