Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014

1 Duties of Scottish Ministers in relation to the rights of children

(1) The Scottish Ministers must—

(a) 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, and

(b) if they consider it appropriate to do so, take any of the steps identified by that consideration.

(2) In complying with their duty under subsection (1)(a), the Scottish Ministers must take such account as they consider appropriate of any relevant views of children of which the Scottish Ministers are aware.

(3) The Scottish Ministers must promote public awareness and understanding (including appropriate awareness and understanding among children) of the rights of children.

(4) As soon as practicable after the end of each 3 year period, the Scottish Ministers must lay before the Scottish Parliament a report of—

(a) what steps they have taken in that period to secure better or further effect in Scotland of the UNCRC requirements,

(b) what they have done in that period in pursuance of subsection (3), and

(c) their plans until the end of the next 3 year period—

(i) to take steps to secure better or further effect in Scotland of the UNCRC requirements, and

(ii) to do things in pursuance of subsection (3).

(5) In preparing such a report the Scottish Ministers must take such steps as they consider appropriate to obtain the views of children on what their plans for the purposes of subsection (4)(c) should be.

(6) In subsection (4), “3 year period” means—

(a) the period of 3 years beginning with the day on which this section comes into force, and

(b) each subsequent period of 3 years.

(7) As soon as practicable after a report has been laid before the Scottish Parliament under subsection (4), the Scottish Ministers must publish it (in such manner as they consider appropriate).