Nick Hobbs

SFA and Scottish FA give evidence now on rules for child footballers.

Our Head of Legal: “The underlying issue here, and it always has been, is that the clubs principally view these children as economic assets...SFA has made rules which are in the interests of clubs and not of the children.”

Graphic with a dark blue background featuring a quote from Nicola Killean, Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland. The quote reads: “Children have a right to good mental health care, but too often this is falling short. Six years on it is unacceptable that young people are unable to see or feel the impact of the changes that have been promised.” The word “unacceptable” is highlighted in red and “have been promised” in yellow. Nicola Killean’s name appears in red text, followed by her title in blue text. The logo of the Commissioner’s office is in the top right corner, and a photo of Nicola Killean is on the bottom right.

New research by our office, SAMH & YoungScot shows not enough is being done on mental health. The Scottish Government accepted Youth Commission on Mental Health Services recommendations, but 6 years on, lack of transparency means young people feel little progress & change.

Read more: bit.ly/3KhwSUD

Quote graphic from Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland. Text reads: ‘One thing is for sure, our participation was real, and we weren’t just there to tick a box.’ — Robert, Young Advisor. Background shows UN flagpoles; inset photo shows Robert in a red-and-white top seated at a UN desk with a nameplate reading ‘ROBERT’ and the UN emblem.

From Scotland to Geneva! Our Young Advisor Robert took children’s voices to the UN on the #RightToEducation, speaking as 1 of only 5 children invited globally 🌎 — a first for
UN treaty-drafting.

What was it like?

Read his blog: bit.ly/3IdsYvB

SPCB Supported Bodies Landscape Review Committee Debate The Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland briefing ahead of the SPCB Supported Bodies Landscape Review Committee Debate taking place on 18 September 2025.

Tomorrow @parliament.scot debates the SPCB Landscape Review and we welcome the Committee’s report and scrutiny
which has reasserted the value and ongoing need for the office of the Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland.

Read our full briefing:

www.cypcs.org.uk/resources/sp...

Family backs bill to prosecute prisons for custody deaths Labour MP Blair McDougall is calling for Crown immunity in UK prison estates to be abolished.

Good to see @blairmcdougall.com introducing a 10 minute bill to remove crown immunity from SPS.

Our office has been calling on UK and Scottish govts to progress this since 2022. Statements here:
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Graphic featuring a quote from Nicola Killean, Children and Young People’s Commissioner for Scotland. The quote reads: “The UNCRC has been part of our law in Scotland for one year now – it’s a huge step forward for children’s rights but there is still much more to do.” The text is in bold blue and red font. The Commissioner’s logo appears in the top-right corner, and a stylised sunrise icon in blue, yellow, and orange appears in the bottom-right.

Today is the first anniversary of UNCRC incorporation into Scots law. Having children’s rights in law is a huge milestone but it’s just one step. We’ll keep holding people in power to account so every child in Scotland can have their rights respected, protected, and fulfilled.

Restraint and Seclusion in Schools (Scotland) Bill July 2025. We submitted written Stage 1 evidence to the Education, Children and Young People Committee to express our support for Daniel Johnson MSP’s members bill on restraint and seclusion

We've responded to the Scottish Parliament's Education, Children & Young People Committee's Call for Views on Daniel Johnson MSP's members bill on restraint and seclusion in schools in Scotland.

www.cypcs.org.uk/resources/re...

Important piece in yesterday's Sunday Post showing why legislation on restraint is so crucial.

We've been calling for statutory provision for 5+ years now. Good to see the govt (finally) offering its support.

Huge credit to the parent campaigners who've driven this. @bethmorrison.bsky.social

Children have the right to education – but too many Care Experienced children are being let down

@cypcs.bsky.social asked Who Cares? Scotland to look at education & what must change

Their findings echo their own report - system doesn’t work for all #UNCRCScotland

buff.ly/mQgwYYA

Commissioner’s online assembly is child’s play! Thousands of children enjoyed a play time with a difference – at a special online assembly with the Children’s Commissioner to mark UN International Day of Play.

Thanks to the 6000 + children who joined us for our #InternationalDayofPlay assembly today with e-Sgoil. Special thanks to the amazing children from Windsor Park
who shared what they like to do to exercise their right to play, rest & relax😎. ENJOY!

Read more: bit.ly/3HC61l5

📣 JUSTICE is looking for its next two Legal Fellows, generously funded by @Linklaters LLP!

Fellows assist our legal team on key projects -researching legal reform, reviewing draft legislation, and supporting third-party interventions.

Learn more here: bit.ly/3GYpMTB

New Study Reveals Record Numbers are Dying in Scottish Prisons - SCCJR A major new research study has found the number of people dying in prison has surged to a record number […]

Important new research on deaths in custody and detention in Scotland. Fundamental concerns about investigations, learning & accountability and lack of support for bereaved people. @thesccjr.bsky.social.
://www.sccjr.ac.uk/news_item/new-study-reveals-record-numbers-are-dying-in-scottish-prisons/

A graphic showing a united statement from the UK’s Children’s Commissioners. The main text reads: “As Children’s Commissioners we are united in our view that any defence in law that permits assault for the purpose of physical punishment of children is outdated and morally repugnant.” The phrase “outdated and morally repugnant” is highlighted in bold red text. Logos of the four Children's Commissioners appear to the right: Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland NICCY (Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People) Children’s Commissioner for Wales Children’s Commissioner for England At the bottom, names and titles of the Commissioners are listed: Nicola Killean, Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland Chris Quinn, Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People Rocio Cifuentes, Children’s Commissioner for Wales Dame Rachel de Souza, Children’s Commissioner for England.

UK Commissioners call for equal protection for all UK children. Scotland was first to ban physical punishment; as did Wales. Children in England & N Ireland are still not protected. All children deserve the same protection from violence as adults.

Statement: bit.ly/4jAwgXh

"Study Support sessions with e-Sgoil were great - it was a very flexible way of learning" Exam season has started for young people in Scotland, and Robert, 16, shares how he prepared for his exams last year by using e-Sgoil's Study Support programme.

Young Advisor Robert blogs on e-Sgoil's Study Support. Our report makes recommendations to improve the education system, including urging Scottish Government to invest more in virtual school models. Robert reveals how he benefited from Study Support.

Blog: bit.ly/4lWaTRO

Report: bit.ly/3RsP6mt

Watchdog to write to clubs about youth football deals The UK's competition watchdog will write to Scotland's professional clubs to remind them of their legal obligations when registering child footballers.

Young footballers deserve protection from exploitation

But the organisation with the power to investigate and take action against clubs is reduced to writing a letter

This is nowhere near good enough

A graphic featuring a quote from Shelter Scotland Director, Alison Watson, that says "Children living in temporary accommodation face regular upheaval and uncertainty. It is welcome news that EMA guidance will be strengthened to include flexibility, as we recommended in our report."

Teens experiencing homelessness whose school attendance is disrupted will still qualify for EMA from 2025-26 — a vital step after our report exposed the link between homelessness and education.

But with 10,360 kids in temp housing, there’s more to do. #HousingEmergency

🔗 shelterscotland.org/EMA25

Commissioner highlights support programme for headteachers with positive impact on children’s rights Headteachers in the Highlands and Moray are making the most of an innovative support programme – and children are reaping the benefits too.   School…

📃 Our new report shows what must change in education to make rights real for every child. Our recommendations include support for the workforce, like this innovative work in @highland.gov.uk & @moraycouncil.bsky.social. Well supported adults means better supported children.

Report: bit.ly/3RsP6mt

Collage-style cover image for a report by the Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland. The image features children drawing and writing on large sheets of paper, with colourful notes and hearts scattered around. One photo shows two children smiling and hanging upside down on a wooden play structure in a grassy outdoor area. The logo of the Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland is in the top right corner. Bold text reads: “This is our lives, it matters a lot.” Subheading: “Putting children’s rights at the heart of education.”

📢 Commissioner: “Education reform’s glacial pace and wrong focus fails children.” ALL children have the right to an education that develops their personality, talents and abilities.

📘 Read our new report calling for substantial, urgent reform: bit.ly/3RsP6mt

Deeply concerning and sadly reflects what we've found in our own work in this area. For instance see our children's rights report on hotel-type accommodation from 2023 which draws on work by Prof Helen Ball from @durhamanthropology.bsky.social

Spreading joy – thousands of children join Commissioner’s happiness assembly Children had a laugh together celebrating UN International Day of Happiness at a special online assembly.   Children’s Commissioner Nicola Killean hosted the BSL-interpreted assembly for primary-aged ...

🌟 Thank you to the thousands of children who joined our assembly today! 🎉 We loved celebrating #InternationalDayOfHappiness with you, exploring the right to good mental health in the #UNCRC and sharing what makes us smile. Keep laughing! 🤣

🚍 Our Young Advisors have been in schools with us, hearing directly from children about their experiences of education.

What they found? Young people want & have ideas for change — & they must be involved in education decision-making.

🎬 Watch the full film: bit.ly/4laRDzF

Here are the #10KeyMessages of the @coe.int European Committee of #SocialRights review on the #costofliving #crisis. They address:
#minimumwage #energy #food #socialprotection #housing #PWD #olderpersons #children #participation #poverty #socialexclusion
rm.coe.int/prems-022125...

White text on a blue background quotes Nicola Killean, Children and Young People's Commissioner Scotland, as saying: "It has been a long road to today’s significant milestone. That road has been paved by the commitment and tenacity of parents and carers who have campaigned for many years to seek this protection for all children. I commend Daniel Johnson MSP’s leadership and dedication in championing this Member’s Bill." There is a black graphic of the scales of justice and the Commissioner's red and white logo is in the top right corner.

Children have the right to protection from all forms of abuse or harm, in all aspects of their lives.

Statement: Commissioner supports Daniel Johnson's Bill on restraint and seclusion in education settings and urges the Scottish Government to go further.

bit.ly/3FDgH1R

Fantastic to see Daniel Johnson MSP’s Restraint & Seclusion Bill introduced to the parliament. The result of years of campaigning by so many people. Huge credit to all who fought so hard for it.
It’s important now that parliamentarians and govt support its principles and make sure it progresses.

A disproportionately high number of kids in poverty live in a household with a disabled person. Stripping essential support will be damaging to disabled people and risks undermining the government’s child poverty strategy. Government can’t cut its way to better living standards for all.

Unambiguously clear from the UN #CESCR.

The two-child limit and benefit cap should be reversed.

There’s a lot more in the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights’ recommendations to the UK govt.

Here’s my brief comment for @hrw.org in @mirror.co.uk www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...

Good to see @katysclark.bsky.social picking up our joint letter on restraint and asking Scottish Govt via PQ if it will ensure the statutory framework across all settings is coherent and consistent.

YouTube video by ShelterScotland In Their Own Words: Children's Experiences in Temporary Accommodation

Temporary accommodation isn’t a home.

When one child's sister is forced into an electricity cupboard, another is terrified of violence, and a third suffers damp conditions, it’s clear: 10,360 kids in Scotland deserve better.

We owe them our fight. #HousingEmergency www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uhlh...