Gina Wilson

Gina, Ezmie and Niall holding signs saying Awesome, Brilliant and Amazing.

Brilliant, awesome, amazing day in Dublin with our friends from the Ombudsman for Children in Ireland talking about incorporating the UNCRC into Irish law.

Statement: Commissioner's response to report on care at Melville Unit Children's Commissioner responds after a new report by the Mental Welfare Commission into the care of children at Melville Unit highlights potential rights breaches.

Response to report by @mentalwelfare.bsky.social into Melville Unit, raising serious concerns about the use of restraint. This month we warned Scottish Government we’d take legal action if it didn’t strengthen its commitments in this area. We’re pleased it will now do so bit.ly/3L8RDCp

Our Annual Report marks Commissioner Nicola Killean's first full year with UNCRC incorporation as the most significant change to our powers since 2003. Our values shine through with participation at the heart of our work.

Report, child-friendly, BSL: bit.ly/4nqDTk7

Young Advisor Saif heads to Romania on key children’s rights work Young Advisor Saif is working with other young people at the European Network of Ombudspersons for Children's 2025 conference in Bucharest, looking at the importance of the right to physical health.

We’re excited to support Young Advisor Saif to take part in the European Network of Ombudspersons for Children's conference in Romania, working with other young people from all over Europe on the right to physical health. Find out more: bit.ly/4mlRbhe

Whose flag is it anyway? Rocio Cifuentes, Children’s Commissioner for Wales As Children’s Commissioner, I’m fortunate to do a lot of travelling across Wales to meet with and hear from children. It’s a part of my job that I en...

Valuable thoughts from @rocdaboss76.bsky.social
nation.cymru/opinion/whos...

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...

Brilliant blog from Robert on his unique experience!

💡Key finding from our new research.

While Gov has committed to improve services in several areas, there is a lack of transparency around what, when (or if) commitments have translated to action.

Making it difficult for young people to see what has been implemented, as well as what has changed.

Graphic with a quote from Farida Shaheed, UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Education: “Young people are here and they’re talking truth to people in power without being intimidated.” On the left is the Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland logo and a background photo of UN flags. On the right, Young Advisor Robert stands smiling with Farida Shaheed inside the UN building.

Our Young Advisor Robert made history as 1 of 5 children globally adressing the UN in Geneva, the first time the Human Rights Council involved children in treaty-drafting. Speaking on free education & educational barriers he said: “I wasn’t just there to tick a box.”

👉 bit.ly/41D1sxX

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...

Here we Cro! Rowan and Saif going on international rights adventure Young Advisors Rowan and Saif are going to Croatia to meet other young people from around Europe to discuss the right to physical health, as part of ENYA's work.

Our international work includes working with the strong global network of Children's Commissioners.

Our Young Advisors get involved too.

They've been working on the right to physical health & soon they'll meet young advisors from Europe to share, learn and create recommendations ➡️ bit.ly/3Tdqn6Q

Young Advisors share education views with the UN The Commissioner's Young Advisors Group have submitted a response to the United Nations on the right to education, looking at barriers to learning, attainment, and attendance.

Children are always at the heart of our work & our amazing Young Advisors have shared with @UN what they think about aspects of the right to education in Scotland. They looked at the last three years of school, barriers to learning, attainment, & attendance.

More: bit.ly/4edxBkI

🆕 In a report today, a cross-party Committee is recommending that new SPCB commissioner bodies are only created as a last resort when there is clear and demonstrable need. It's part of a package of measures to reform Scotland's commissioner landscape.

Convener @benmacpherson.bsky.social 👇

A graphic featuring a powerful quote from a young person in S2: “Chances are I wouldn’t be here alive today if not for e-Sgoil.” The quote is displayed in bold white text on a blue-tinted background image of a young person wearing headphones and using a computer. Below the quote, the attribution reads: “Young person in S2” in bold yellow text. To the right, there is an image of a report titled “Alternative education provision for children: Learning from the e-Sgoil model” with a red and blue megaphone icon labelled “GOOD PRACTICE.” The Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland logo appears in the top right corner.

📚 Every child has the right to an education that develops them to their fullest potential. Our latest Good Practice feature highlights young people sharing how online learning from eSgoil is doing just that.

Read more 👉 bit.ly/43PzMaM

A graphic featuring a quote from Nicola Killean, Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland, alongside the cover of a report. The quote reads: “Too many children are being let down by the current education system. Every child has a right to an education that develops their personality, talents, and abilities to their full potential. But this isn’t happening for lots of children who have care experience.” Her name and title appear below the quote in red and blue text. To the right, there's a colourful cover image of a report titled: “Exclusion labelled as support” – Care Experienced children in Scotland’s education system, published by Who Cares? Scotland and the Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland. In the background is a faded image of a young child resting their head on a desk in a classroom.

Children have the right to education – but too many Care Experienced children are being let down. We asked
Who Cares? Scotland to look at education & what must change. Their findings echo our own report - the system doesn’t work for all.

Read more: bit.ly/3SSIFtJ

Young Scot Awards is always a joyfilled evening! Finalists Afristyle Dance Club brought the fun to the stage tonight.

🏆Well done to Young Scot of the Year Ellie Hodge whose contribution to the wellbeing of others is truly inspiring. #YSAwards

Questions about AI are common from children and young people - both on the benefits and how useful it is, and the worries around what it means now for children and for the future.

⬇️ MCPs have helped create a teaching resource to guide those very conversations. Click through for more details.

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

Rights Rabbit draw along This is "Rights Rabbit draw along" by CYPCS on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

Happy UN International Day of Play! Here’s a wee Rights Rabbit draw along video to have some fun with :)

vimeo.com/1092438820

Promotional graphic for the International Day of Play online assembly. It invites children across Scotland to celebrate children’s rights on Wednesday, 11 June. Details include: An online assembly for primary-aged children, a focus on the right to play, rest and leisure, a chance to share views that will inform international work on physical health rights, and a draw-along session to create a Rights Rabbit character with a talented illustrator. The event runs from 9:30am to 10:00am and requires no registration. It includes BSL interpretation. The graphic features the logos of Scotland’s Assembly, e-sgoil, and the Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland. The background shows children playing with building blocks.

🧸Celebrate play, creativity & children’s rights this #InternationalDayofPlay. Join Nicola Killean, eSgoil
& children across Scotland for a fun, BSL-interpreted online assembly. 🐰

🗓 Wed 11 June, 9:30 – 10am.

More info 👉 bit.ly/43mdb48

Group of young advisors in the black and white corridor of the Scottish Parliament.

Group of young advisors standing outside the entrance to the Scottish Parliament.

Group of young advisors sitting round a table working.

Group of young advisors standing in the chamber of the Scottish Parliament.

Some of our Young Advisors spent the day in the Scottish Parliament with us, learning all about how various Bill processes work.
Our talented Parliament tour guide was responsible for the highlight of the day. 👻
Did you know Parliament had its own ghost? Here’s the gruesome story.
lnkd.in/eTBcqS4E

Large group of people standing on a map.

Flagpoles outside European Parliament building in Luxembourg.

Two doors decorated with collages of hope and love.

Portrait of woman in white shirt in a European Parliament building.

Spring seminar in Luxembourg with the European Network of Ombudspersons for Children (ENOC), our priority focus this year is physical health.
Sharing good practice is always a highlight. Inspired by my visit to Péitrusshaus, a 24hr crisis facility for young people aged 12-21. www.peitrusshaus.app

Will be laughing about France’s unfortunate staging for quite a while. #Eurovision

a group of people are dancing on a stage in front of a moon . ALT: a group of people are dancing on a stage in front of a moon .

My top 3 this year:
1. Denmark (strong Loreen vibes)
2. Austria (that got my attention!)
3. Greece (specs a bonus 🤓)
#Eurovision

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

𝗝𝗼𝗵𝗻 𝗦𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗲𝘆 𝘂𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗽𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘁𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗰𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗯𝘆 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀

The Herald has teamed up with 23 of the country's leading children and anti-poverty charities to call for the Scottish Child Payment to be increased to £40 per week

heraldscotland.com/news/2512502...

"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

As the Scottish Parliament continues its consideration of the Education (Scotland) Bill tomorrow @cypcs.bsky.social has shared our views on the wide-ranging stage 2 amendments. Our priority remains embedding children’s right to participate in the new bodies being created by the Bill.

Shake off your peeves like a spaniel.