1. Using the UNCRC to consider intersectionality in policy and practice Juliet Harris Thursday 2 nd October 2014 Website: www.togetherscotland.org.uk Follow us on Twitter! @together_sacr

2. Non-discrimination & UN Convention on the Rights of the Child Implementation in Scotland – legislative and policy developments Children’s experience of realising their rights How can we give better consideration to intersectionality in child rights policy and practice? Website: www.togetherscotland.org.uk Follow us on Twitter! @together_sacr

3. About Together  Promoting the UNCRC including through a fortnightly e-newsletter and through an online resource library.  Helping children's organisations to integrate the UNCRC into their work.  Monitoring and reporting on the progress made in implementing children's rights in Scotland, including by producing an annual ‘State of Children’s Rights’ report. Website: www.togetherscotland.org.uk Follow us on Twitter! @together_sacr

4. “Discrimination on the basis of any grounds listed in Article 2 of the UNCRC, whether it is overt or hidden, offends the human dignity of the child…” Committee on the Rights of the Child, General Comment No 1, 2001 Website: www.togetherscotland.org.uk Follow us on Twitter! @together_sacr

5. In 2012/13, there were 21,955 exclusions from local authority schools in Scotland. Pupils who were excluded were more likely to live in areas of deprivation, have additional support requirements and be ‘looked after’ by a local authority. 220,000 children living in poverty in Scotland. Children with a lone parent, children with a disability, minority ethnic children and asylum seeking children are more likely to experience poverty. Website: www.togetherscotland.org.uk Follow us on Twitter! @together_sacr

6. Recent legislative commitments Website: www.togetherscotland.org.uk Follow us on Twitter! @together_sacr  Early Years Collaborative: aims to ensure principles of GIRFEC and the Early Years Framework are turned into practical action. These principles include reducing inequalities and delivering tangible outcomes for children.  National Play Action Strategy and subsequent Action Plan: seeks to improve the play experiences of all children and young people. Focus on those with disabilities or from disadvantaged backgrounds.  The Victims and Witnesses (Scotland) Act: changed definition of ‘child witness’ to include all those under 18 and the amendment to the definition of vulnerable witnesses to include victims of sexual offences, domestic abuse, human trafficking and stalking.

7. Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 Duties on Ministers to: “keep under consideration whether there are any steps which they could take which would or might secure better or further effect in Scotland of the UNCRC requirements” “take such account as they consider appropriate of any relevant views of children of which they are aware” “promote public awareness and understanding of the rights of children” Duty on public bodies to report on: “what steps it has taken [..] to secure better or further effect [..] of the UNCRC requirements” Website: www.togetherscotland.org.uk Follow us on Twitter! @together_sacr

8. Rights, opinions and aspirations are regularly ignored within adult- designed organisations and structures Issues of equality, discrimination, access and participation affect all aspects of their lives Not enough opportunities to express their views and influence decisions that affect them. Experiences of children Website: www.togetherscotland.org.uk Follow us on Twitter! @together_sacr

9. Questions for discussion: What does an intersectional social justice approach look like in practice and policy? What are the dilemmas, gaps and ways forward while adopting an intersectional social justice approach? What changes can be made in policy and practice to effectively promote social justice for children and young people? Are there any specific policy/practical tips while adopting an intersectional approach? Website: www.togetherscotland.org.uk Follow us on Twitter! @together_sacr