About SCCYP

FAQs

What is a Commissioner for Children and Young People?
There are now commissioners - or ombudsmen - in 31 countries. What each does, and how they do it, varies from country to country, but most are there to promote and protect the rights and welfare of children and young people.

Who is Scotland's Commissioner?
Kathleen Marshall became Scotland's first Commissioner in April 2004, after a selection process which included her being interviewed by two groups of children and young people. Although Kathleen was nominated by the Scottish Parliament for appointment by the Queen, the Commissioner for Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2003, she is independent of both Parliament and the Scottish Executive.
Kathleen was appointed for a period of five-years, with the possibility of a further five-year period.


What does Scotland's Commissioner do?
The Commissioner promotes and safeguards the rights of children and young people.
In particular she:
? Promotes awareness and understanding of the rights of children and young people, with particular emphasis on the rights set out in the 1989 United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child
? Monitors the law, policy and practice for effectiveness in relation to the rights of children and young people
? Promotes best practice by service providers working with children and young people
? Commissions, carries out and publishes research on issues relating to the rights of children and young people

The Commissioner in Scotland does not intervene in individual cases. Individual cases, however, can highlight issues affecting a broader group of children and young people and these issues can then be investigated by the Commissioner. The Commissioner also actively encourages children and young people to be involved in her work.


How does the Commissioner define children and young people in Scotland?
The Commissioner includes all children and young people under 18, and all children and young people up to 21 who have been in care or looked after by a local authority, and are living in Scotland.

What does the Commissioner's team do?
The Commissioner works from an office, situated close to the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh, where she is supported by a staff team of 14, who track policy and legislation through the Parliament, monitor the delivery of services to children and young people, help children and young people participate in the work of the Commissioner and provide an information and enquiries service.