Children in Scotland - striving for an inclusive society
Ensuring that children and young people grow up in a society that is based on non-discrimination, valuing of difference and equality of opportunity is at the heart of all Children in Scotland's work.
The organisation has a played a significant role in shaping legislation and policy in Scotland, to help ensure they honour every child's right, under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, not to be discriminated against.
Shaping policy and legislation
The term inclusion responds to people as individuals, embraces difference and teaches tolerance.
It was first introduced into Scottish law in terms of disability and education following the consultation Improving our Schools 2000, which informed the Standards in Scotland’s Schools etc Act. It enshrined in Scottish education law, a presumption to mainstream, which stated that all children should have the opportunity to be educated in mainstream schools where appropriate.
Supporting wider debate
The Additional Support for Learning Act, due to come into force on 14 November, is the latest piece of education legislation in Scotland to embrace inclusion by widening significantly the criteria for which children are eligible for additional support to help them benefit fully from education. Children in Scotland was involved from the start and throughout the process of developing this legislation, working with children and young people to respond to the Scottish Executive's 2001 consultation on the recording and assessment of children’s educational needs. This was the first opportunity to re-think how Scotland met the needs and rights of children with special educational needs.
The draft Additional Support for Learning Bill, introduced in March 2003, proposed a more inclusive system by providing a basis for meeting a much more diverse range of individual needs. Children in Scotland worked with members to propose a number of changes that helped shape the final Act. For example, Children in Scotland helped to ensure that a Code of Practice, rather than just guidance, was introduced to accompany the Act.
As well as consulting its members on specific policies and proposed legislation, Children in Scotland facilitates much wider debate through a number of advisory groups, forums and networks. The Additional Support Needs Network, launched in June 2005 which we hope will help to support the implementation of the new Additional Support for Learning Act is one such example. It was developed in partnership with Capability Scotland, Sense Scotland and Aberlour Child Care Trust to promote good practice and joint working, and bring people together to represent the interests of children and young people with additional support needs and their families. It will relate to all aspects of the lives of children who have additional support needs, not just their educational needs and a wide range of professionals from education, health, social work and a number of parents have already registered to exchange information and receive relevant up-to-date information. In its first few weeks, it already has more than 100 members.
Children in Scotland's Participation Network, which now has several hundred members, has formed well-established links between individuals, groups and organisations committed to ensuring that all children can be included in decision making at local and national level.
Providing expertise
Children in Scotland's expertise in this area is also reflected in Scottish Borders Council's decision to employ a Children in Scotland participation officer to develop a system of meaningful consultation with pupils of varying abilities.
The three-year project Access All Areas is helping the council carry out its duties under the Disability Discrimination Act (2002), which requires every local authority to prepare and implement an accessibility strategy every three years. There are no special schools in the Scottish Borders and the project is ensuring that children’s views on accessibility are listened to and acted upon.
Training and events
Children in Scotland's training workshops, seminars and conferences allow professionals and practitioners to explore practical methods used to help ensure children and young people are meaningfully involved.
Children in Scotland also manages Enquire, the Scottish advice service for additional support for learning. Click here to find out more information about the work they do.
Children in Scotland will continue to work to ensure that all children can be meaningfully involved in society at every level. However, we could not do this without the involvement of members and other groups, organisations and individuals who are committed to the same goal.
If you would like to find out more about Children in Scotland and the work that they do, please visit www.childreninscotland.org.uk, or call 0131 228 8484 for an information pack.