The job of Scotland’s Commissioner for Children and Young People is to promote and safeguard the rights of children and young people in Scotland.
Statutory Duties
In carrying out this job the Commissioner must in particular:
- promote awareness and understanding of the rights of children and young people;
- review law, policy and practice to examine their effectiveness in respecting the rights of children and young people;
- promote best practice by service providers;
- and promote and commission research on matters relating to the rights of children and young people.
- the Commissioner must encourage the involvement of children and young people in the work of the Commissioner, and in particular consult with them on the work that he should be doing to improve the rights of children and young people.
Powers of Investigation
The Commissioner has a power of formal investigation where it seems that the rights of groups of children and young people might have been breached, but cannot investigate matters that apply to only one child. As of yet, this power has not been used by the Commissioner.
Remit
The Commissioner is responsible for protecting the rights of all children and young people in Scotland under the age of 18, and those under the age of 21 if they have at any time been in the care of, or looked after by a local authority. The law establishing the Commissioner’s post is the Commissioner for Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2003.