Young people are being encouraged to join a group that stands up for children’s human rights.

Those aged between 12 and 17 can join other child human rights defenders to work alongside and shape the work of the Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland, Nicola Killean.  

The Commissioner and her team promote and protect children’s human rights and work closely with the office’s Young Advisors Group as one way to hear about the issues that matter. The group – now recruiting more members – works with the Commissioner on lots of different projects, sharing their opinions, and influencing decision-making.  

Commissioner Nicola Killean said:

“The Young Advisors are crucial to the office – they help us promote and protect rights and work with us on specific projects. At the moment, they are helping us engage with children and young people across Scotland to help inform my four-year plan. They are part of my office’s governance and play a key role when we are recruiting new members of our team. They have promoted rights through events and media opportunities, and had a lot of fun along the way. 

“It’s really important that our Young Advisors Group reflects Scotland’s diversity and we can support young people from lots of different backgrounds with different experiences to take part. We are especially keen to hear from young people who haven’t been in a group like this before. We can’t wait to start working with some new Young Advisors and look forward to the ideas and experiences they will bring to our team of human rights defenders.” 

This year the group laid their investigation – Mental Health: Counselling In Schools – at the Scottish Parliament. It’s the first time anywhere in the world that a group of young people have used a Commissioner’s legal powers of investigation and politicians are now considering their recommendations. 

Two Young Advisors also went to the UN in Geneva in May last year to report on how the Committee on the Rights of the Child examined the UK and devolved governments about their children’s rights record. The group has also given evidence to the Scottish Parliament on education in the Covid-19 pandemic and have co-presented events on children’s rights, including leading on a special celebration at the Scottish Parliament.  

The Commissioner is keen to give the opportunity to young people living in Scotland who do not have experience of being on similar organised groups. Meetings are a combination of online and in-person. 

Young Advisor Sophie, from Falkirk, said:

“There have been many amazing opportunities to be involved within the Commissioner’s office from strategic litigation to working with the Poverty and Inequality Commission and even helping in recruitment processes. Being a Young Advisor was one of the best decisions I made.”  

For more information, and to apply, please visit the website. The closing date is midday on Monday, 12 February, 2024.