Embedding children’s rights in professional programmes

Team: Dr Fiona Morrison, Dr Kristen Darling-McQuistan, Avril McIvor, and Professor Kay Tisdall

School: Moray House School of Education and Sport, and School of Social and Political Sciences

Abstract

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) (Scotland) Act 2024 incorporates the UNCRC into Scots law, allowing children to claim their rights. This has significant, new implications for duty-bearers (e.g., professionals in education, social work, and health), both in their legal. accountability and the transformative cultural change required by incorporation. To facilitate these changes, we need to build capacity among future professionals. This project will focus on placement preparation, so that graduates are leaders in embedding children’s rights-based approach in their professional practice and organisations. A curated resource bank will be developed for use across the University. 

The project will enhance and cascade learning on practice-based and experiential teaching methods that integrate children’s rights into professional practices. It will capitalise on cross-professional learning, bringing students together to exchange knowledge and perspectives.