Children and Young People's Commissioner Scotland
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Children and Young People's Commissioner Scotland
@cypcs.bsky.social
490 followers 260 following 99 posts
The Children and Young People's Commissioner Scotland promotes and safeguards children's rights.
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Ending the two-child cap is a positive step — it will help lift children out of poverty. But with 1 in 4 children in Scotland already in poverty, much more is needed. Scottish & UK governments must align strategies & centre children’s experiences & voices.

Statement: bit.ly/48eexjO
A graphic with a dark blurred background of children sitting indoors. Large white text reads: “Scrapping the two-child benefit cap is a positive step, but more measures can be taken to tackle child poverty. Children have told me how concerned they are about the effect of poverty on themselves, on their families, and on their friends. They’ve talked about how it ruins childhoods.” In the bottom right is a photo of Commissioner Nicola Killean sitting and looking at the camera. In the top right is the red Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland logo. Under the quote, Nicola Killean’s name and title appear in red and blue text.
November 26, 2025 at 2:31 PM
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Not long to go! We’re meeting education leaders soon and we want primary children’s voices at the heart of the conversation. Get your shoogle on and help us shake up education.
Take part by the end of 27 Nov: bit.ly/44j2ZKS
A promotional graphic for “The Shoogle Lab” showing children walking out of a school building. The headline reads “Let’s shake up education together! Take part and have your say!” A quote from a teacher says: “We had a lot of fun doing the activities and the teaching points were received well. As the game went on the frustration went up, specifically about their voices not being heard.” The Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland logo and “The Shoogle Lab” title are on the right. Icons include maracas, a calendar, and an envelope. Text at the bottom says: “Take part by Thursday 27 November 2025. Send your class’s feedback to: administration@cypcs.org.uk
November 26, 2025 at 1:09 PM
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Brilliant Saturday with our Young Advisors — some soon to be first-time voters — exploring elections & shaping questions for our session with education leaders next month.

You can have your say too. Take part in our Shoogle Lab activities by 27 Nov: bit.ly/44j2ZKS
A small group of Young Advisors sit around a table during a workshop. One young person is holding up a colourful sheet of paper covered in drawings and notes, while the others look on and chat. Bright pens, drinks and a hoodie are scattered on the table in the meeting room. The Commissioner sits at a table with members of the Young Advisors group in a bright meeting room. They are all smiling and laughing as the Commissioner reads from a sheet of paper. Snacks and drinks sit on the table, and a “sanitising station” sign is visible on the wall behind them. A small group of Young Advisors sit around a table during a workshop. One young person is holding up a colourful sheet of paper covered in drawings and notes, while the others look on and chat. Bright pens, drinks and a hoodie are scattered on the table in the meeting room.
November 24, 2025 at 2:13 PM
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♥️Huge thanks to the thousands who joined our #WorldChildrensDay assembly with eSgoil! Primary classes can still have their say: try our Shoogle Lab activities and send views by 27 Nov to shape our session with education leaders next month.

Take part: bit.ly/44kmyCq
A promotional graphic for “The Shoogle Lab” showing children walking out of a school building. The headline reads “Let’s shake up education together! Take part and have your say!” A quote from a teacher says: “We had a lot of fun doing the activities and the teaching points were received well. As the game went on the frustration went up, specifically about their voices not being heard.” The Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland logo and “The Shoogle Lab” title are on the right. Icons include maracas, a calendar, and an envelope. Text at the bottom says: “Take part by Thursday 27 November 2025. Send your class’s feedback to: administration@cypcs.org.uk .
November 20, 2025 at 10:52 AM
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Don’t miss it! 🎵 A short teaser of our body percussion activity — one of the fun things children can do at tomorrow’s #WorldChildrensDay assembly with eSgoil as we explore rights and being heard.

Join live 9.30–10am, with BSL: bit.ly/4qCekiA
November 19, 2025 at 11:25 AM
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⏰ This Thursday! Don’t miss our fun, interactive #WorldChildrensDay assembly with eSgoil — with BSL throughout.

🎵 Body percussion with: The Solar Bear
🗣️ Learn about your rights
💭 Share where you feel heard
📅 Thu 20 Nov
⏰ 9.30–10am

Join live: bit.ly/4qCekiA
Digital poster promoting an online assembly for primary-aged children celebrating World Children’s Day and the right to be heard. The background shows children smiling and raising their hands. Main text reads: “Online assembly for primary-aged children. Join children across Scotland to celebrate #WorldChildrensDay & the right to be heard.” It lists activities: “Take part in a fun body percussion session with Solar Bear, learn about children’s rights and the UNCRC, share their views about where they feel heard.” Details: Thursday, 20 November, 9:30–10:00 am. “No registration needed — join live! With BSL interpretation.” Logos for BSL Interpretation, Scotland’s Assembly, e-Sgoil, Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland, and Solar Bear appear at the bottom.
November 17, 2025 at 11:29 AM
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We've been shaking up education with pupils at Whiting Bay Primary — listening to what life is like growing up on Arran and what helps them feel heard in school. You can shake things up too!

Take part in our Shoogle Lab activites before 27 November: bit.ly/49uEkq3
November 13, 2025 at 4:22 PM
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Watch our BSL video promoting this year’s #WorldChildrensDay assembly with eSgoil — and join us live with BSL included.

🎵 Body percussion.
🗣️ Learn about rights.
💭 Share where you feel heard.

📅 Thu 20 Nov ⏰ 9.30–10am

Join us live: bit.ly/4qCekiA

@BDA_Scot
November 13, 2025 at 2:58 PM
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We had a sailing start at Arran High — talking to pupils about island life, their right to be heard, and good listening. 🚢Day 2 today!

You can take part too: try our three Shoogle Lab activities & send feedback by 27 November.

Get involved: bit.ly/49uEkq3
November 13, 2025 at 12:10 PM
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Not long to go! ⏰Every child has the right to be heard — but what helps them feel listened to?

Take part in our Shoogle Lab activities and share your pupils’ views on fairness and decision-making in school.

🗓️ Submit by 27 Nov → bit.ly/49uEkq3
A colourful graphic promoting the Shoogle Lab from the Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland. The headline reads: “Let’s shake up education together! New fun activities for primary-aged children.” It invites teachers to join in the Shoogle Lab to explore: How opinions are shared in school Who gets listened to How decisions are made Children can: Play a game about fairness and power Share how listened to they feel Roleplay about voices being heard Text at the bottom says: “Take part by Thursday 27 November 2025. Send your class’s feedback to: administration@cypcs.org.uk .” The image background shows smiling school children walking together, and the Shoogle Lab logo is shown on the right.
November 12, 2025 at 11:45 AM
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Every child has the right to be heard — but what helps them feel listened to? Our Shoogle Lab activities help primary children explore decision-making in school. Their views will go to education leaders at our December event.

🗓️ Submit by 27 Nov: bit.ly/49uEkq3
A colourful graphic promoting the Shoogle Lab from the Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland. The headline reads: “Let’s shake up education together! New fun activities for primary-aged children.” It invites teachers to join in the Shoogle Lab to explore: How opinions are shared in school Who gets listened to How decisions are made Children can: Play a game about fairness and power Share how listened to they feel Roleplay about voices being heard Text at the bottom says: “Take part by Thursday 27 November 2025. Send your class’s feedback to: administration@cypcs.org.uk .” The image background shows smiling school children walking together, and the Shoogle Lab logo is shown on the right.
November 3, 2025 at 1:25 PM
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On #WorldChildrensDay, we team up with eSgoil for a fun, interactive online assembly (with BSL).

🎵 Body percussion with Solar Bear
🗣️ Learn about your rights
💭 Share where you feel heard
📅 Thu 20 Nov
⏰ 9.30–10am

Join live: bit.ly/4qCekiA

#ScotlandsAssembly
Digital poster promoting an online assembly for primary-aged children celebrating World Children’s Day and the right to be heard. The background shows children smiling and raising their hands. Main text reads: “Online assembly for primary-aged children. Join children across Scotland to celebrate #WorldChildrensDay & the right to be heard.” It lists activities: “Take part in a fun body percussion session with Solar Bear, learn about children’s rights and the UNCRC, share their views about where they feel heard.” Details: Thursday, 20 November, 9:30–10:00 am. “No registration needed — join live! With BSL interpretation.” Logos for BSL Interpretation, Scotland’s Assembly, e-Sgoil, Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland, and Solar Bear appear at the bottom.
October 31, 2025 at 10:29 AM
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🌎 Tackling climate change means tackling poverty and inequality. Families on the lowest incomes face the greatest challenges and yet have the fewest resources to adapt and recover from climate related events.

Read our consultation response: bit.ly/4hsob6J
Text on a background showing a flooded street reads: “Those experiencing poverty are more likely to suffer the effects of climate change. Low-income households are 8 times more likely to be flooded. There are social dimensions to vulnerability to climate change, the effects of extreme weather events will not be distributed evenly.” Below, smaller text reads: “Response to Consultation on the Draft Environment Strategy.” On the right, the Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland logo appears above an illustrated Earth showing one half sad and polluted, the other green and healthy.
October 27, 2025 at 2:28 PM
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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
October 24, 2025 at 9:20 AM
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The Scottish Football Association and the Scottish Professional Football League gave evidence to the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee at the Scottish Parliament yesterday. They made concessions regarding the treatment of youth footballers.

Read our response: bit.ly/46G4R0M
Navy graphic with a large white quote: “We hope MSPs will support us in keeping the pressure on the SFA and the SPFL to remedy this long-running issue which continues to risk the violation of children’s rights to protection from economic exploitation.” — Nick Hobbs, Head of Legal. CYPCS round logo appears top right and a white-outlined football icon sits bottom right.
September 24, 2025 at 2:34 PM
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Commissioner Nicola Killean speaks today at the @parliament.scot Education, Children & Young People Committee on the Restraint & Seclusion in Schools (Scotland) Bill. We support Daniel Johnson MSP’s Bill and call for statutory, human-rights-based guidance.

Read more: bit.ly/47Yxo3W
Blue graphic with CYPCS logo. Large white quote reads: “The inappropriate use of restraint can amount to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment and is a breach of children’s human rights.” Attribution below: Nicola Killean, Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland. Orange weighing-scales icon on the right.
September 24, 2025 at 12:21 PM
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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
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.
September 17, 2025 at 12:17 PM
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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
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.
September 11, 2025 at 8:02 AM
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Speaking today @ Education Committee & Work & Pensions Committee, the Commissioner talked about the impact of child poverty, progress Scot Gov has made & what more could be done. We also urged the UK Gov to scrap the two-child limit, which would pull 20,000 children in Scotland out of poverty.
September 10, 2025 at 11:35 AM
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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 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.
September 3, 2025 at 1:18 PM
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And that’s a wrap! Young Advisor Robert participated in a UN discussion about the right to education. We are so proud of him, and proud that we have supported him to have his voice heard at the epicentre of human rights. 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

Read more : bit.ly/461AiSC
Four young people stand together on stone steps in front of a large glass doorway. They are smiling slightly and dressed in casual clothes, with the sun casting strong shadows. A young person stands inside a large United Nations conference room with curved rows of desks and screens. A big display screen shows a live view of the chamber, and the atmosphere is formal and official. A young person wearing a red and white top and sunglasses stands in front of the United Nations building in Geneva. They are framed by two long rows of flagpoles flying national flags on either side.
September 2, 2025 at 4:16 PM
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“Education is not just reading, writing & maths but also learning about human rights, different cultures, and the natural environment.”

Children must be heard by decision-makers and Young Advisor Robert told the UN about the importance of free pre-primary & secondary education.
A young person wearing glasses and a red-and-white Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland shirt sits at a United Nations desk. In front of them is a nameplate reading ‘ROBERT,’ and the UN emblem is visible on the desk panel.
September 2, 2025 at 8:46 AM
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Here we go! After weeks of planning, Young Advisor Robert addresses the UN today. He is representing Western Europe & is one of five children speaking for their peers from all over the world. He’ll be talking about the right to education, updates to come. Good luck, Robert!
A person wearing a red jacket and white trousers stands smiling outside the United Nations building in Geneva. The tall stone building has large vertical windows and the UN emblem above the entrance. The sky is bright blue with scattered white clouds.
September 2, 2025 at 8:10 AM
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Opening the session at the UN, Ms Nada al-Nashif, Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, said to the 5 children: “Your participation is not symbolic but essential.”

We completely agree & are proud to support children to be heard in places of power.
Robert stands in an ornate, brightly-coloured room at the UN in Geneva.
September 1, 2025 at 12:48 PM
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Big week for our Young Advisor Robert! 🌍 He’s at the UN in Geneva representing Western Europe. Tomorrow he’ll speak on the right to education, sharing insights from two years of work with the Commissioner & children across Scotland.
Robert, a Young Advisor, stands outside the United Nations building in Geneva, smiling at the camera. The large stone building with “United Nations” written above the entrance is visible behind him.
September 1, 2025 at 8:24 AM