You have the right to special protection and help if you can’t live with your parents.
Children and young people have the right to special protection and help if they can’t live with your parents. In many cases, this will involve going into care.
Rights and care
Children and young people have the right to go into care, and to have their rights respected when they are there. There should be independent checks to make sure that their rights are respected, especially if they are disabled or a refugee.
The opinions of children and young people in care should be listened to and taken seriously. They must have the freedom to do things they want to do, and be able to grow up safely and happily.
Care standards
In Scotland, The National Care Standards help make sure the rights of children and young people in care are put into practice. They can be brought up with people who run care services, or used to make a complaint when things don’t go as they should.
Find out more about the National Care Standards on the Meet Sid site.
Being without a home
Article 20 also says children and young are entitled to special help if they are homeless, have run away from home or if have left the country that they are from.
Related articles
The State should make sure that all care is provided to the same standard across Scotland.
Children and young people don't lose their right to an identity when they're in care. The aspects of identity Article 8 covers should be protected during the transition into care.
Children and young people should only go into care if this is in their best interests.
A child or young person's living situation shouldn't be changed by the State without good reason.
Article 21 covers adoption, and so is closely related to this article.
Children and young people who are refugees have the rights granted by Article 20, just like anyone else their age.
Children and young people should be regularly checked up on when in care.
If a child or young person is a member of a minority group, they don't lose the right to practice their culture, religion or language when in care.