Jo Chamberlain

We are pleased to announce that our Psychological Services/Children’s Rights and Participation Group are COSLA Excellence Awards Finalists in Cat 4 – Strengthening Communities & Local Democracy. Read More:https://buff.ly/a5wC5lq

"Capacity" is a barrier or a gateway for CYP exercising their rights under the UNCRC

But what is it? Much discussion is based on simple (outdated!) models of child development.

Here's how I think that changes across the main theories - it makes a difference to what capacity is & how to assess?

What a busy day for @highland.gov.uk Psychological Service at the Vision 26 Family Fun Day today. Thanks to everyone who joined us, played in our cafe, shared their feelings faces and added to our feel good bag. @loukinnear.bsky.social @carrieyavuz.bsky.social

Participation ROCCS!

But adult myths about capacity get in the way

That’s what children told us, and here’s a resource they helped us to make so adults can reflect on the myths and change their practice

More in the thread – feel free to use as long as you give us feedback!

Delighted to share more of this work a year on from the day that the UNCRC was incorporated into Scots Law. Please read the whole thread to see parts of the resource and a short video!

We asked children & young people what they made of common adult myths about their capacity - this one got some strong reactions, and great ideas for creating some resources

The adventures of Mythical Mungo and Capacity Callum begin! Which one are you?

The children & young people had a lot to say on this, privileged to have had the opportunity to listen to their views and hear what they think needs to be done. Next step is to follow through on what they’ve asked and share this and the resources we are developing far and wide.

The depth & strength of joint working. Click link to learn more about the wider strength & offer of support for our children & young people from Armed Forces Families: The MLG (Education) partnership tinyurl.com/3ca8kprf @highland.gov.uk @bernadettecairns.bsky.social @jochamberlain.bsky.social

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

This is brilliant, I really like this. I would have loved to have something as reassuring as this for my girls.

The hard work and creativity that went into this between the children and the MLG is just incredible! Well done to everyone involved 👏

Fascinating and inspiring to hear
@danwuori.bsky.social
talking about *prenatal* learning and interaction

Chimes so well with our Words Up messages that midwives and health visitors share with parents

Hurrah 🙌

International Day of Happiness Online Assembly A national online event for primary-aged children about happiness, mental health, and human rights. 📅 Thursday, 20 March ⏰ 2pm - 2:30pm 🔗 No registration needed, join live! The image has a blue background with colorful silhouettes of children raising their hands. A smiling daisy is on the right. Logos for BSL Interpretation, Scotland’s Assembly, e-Sgoil, and the Children & Young People’s Commissioner Scotland are at the bottom.

Celebrate #InternationalDayOfHappiness with Commissioner Nicola Killean on March 20! 🎉

Join us live at 2pm for a fun assembly with BSL interpretation, where we’ll explore mental health, enjoy some laughter yoga, & share what makes us feel good.

👉 bit.ly/3Wt1rKC

There’s more to come ☺️ it’s all in the strategy, but we are working on updates for the website to support practitioners to make this a reality. Always happy to chat too!

Thanks for the share ☺️

Children and young people in highland had (have) lots to say about participation, and what that meant to them… we owe it to them to ensure that we implement what they have told us. We’ve used the Lundy Model, combined with the key themes from the engagement sessions to support us to do just that.

We're excited to be delivering this new training soon, launching our new anti-racism through storybooks resource for nursery and primary; 'Mirrors & Windows'. Book via the Highland Council CPD site or Eventbrite for 24 Feb shorturl.at/SrTGx or 18 March shorturl.at/tJSmp.

@jochamberlain.bsky.social 😊… so much great work going on in @highland.gov.uk . I’m looking forward to sharing a fantastic resource that C&YP from Armed Forces families in Highland are currently co-creating … but not until they feel it’s ready!

@loukinnear.bsky.social you’ve always led the way with co-creation, this next resource is excellent as always 🤩 it takes longer, but it’s so worth it!

A flowchart showing questions to be asked when involving children in decision-making

Please don’t expound the benefits of child participation while you develop laws & policies without them. An infographic explaining what you should do when you haven’t involved children on the right. The left is for those wanting to do their best to get it right- Lansdown’s 3Cs plus the Lundy Model.

An image of a kaleidoscope and text saying it’s not the gift of adults. It’s the right of the child

Marking the 100th anniversary of the UN Declaration on the Rights of the Child with some reflections on the child’s right to participation.