News

Children and Young People can no longer be Pawns in the Education Game

15 March 2010

Local authorities have a legal responsibility to consult children when considering school closures or other major educational decisions, Tam Baillie, Scotland’s Commissioner for Children and Young People (SCCYP) said today.

The Commissioner today has published new guidance on the topic, commissioned by his office from Children in Scotland. The guidance stresses the importance of ensuring that children’s opinions are clearly heard and considered so that better decisions are made.

Tam Baillie said:
“The guidance has been created in response to the recently enacted Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010 which specifically requires pupils to be consulted.

“This is a core principle within the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) which states that children have the right to be heard. For a long time, decisions about school closures were made without hearing from those most affected – the students themselves – but this Act has the potential to change that.

 “While feelings about school closures and similar are often highly charged, proper consultation at least allows a balanced assessment of views and consideration of alternatives. It makes sense to include children and young people within a process that so clearly affects them.

“What this guidance does is demonstrate that there are ways to draw pertinent responses from even the youngest children in a way that will be relevant to local authorities faced with making these decisions.”

The SCCYP document, entitled Participants, not Pawns, provides guidance on consulting with children and young people on school closures – and other significant changes to the running of schools. It provides examples of best practice and considerations to ensure that consultations are worthwhile.

“There is little point of undertaking consultations of any kind unless they are carried out thoroughly and properly seek the views of those taking part,” Tam Baillie said. “Different school populations, different needs of pupils and school locations should all tailor the consultation process.

“We want to make it clear that there are many ways of effectively engaging with young people of all ages and abilities that ensures a fair and meaningful process. It is also important to remember to provide feedback that demonstrates how their views were taken into account before a decision is made,” Tam Baillie said.

The Scottish Government has recently published guidance for Local Authorities on the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010 which includes specific reference to consulting with children and young people.

It states that such consultation helps to ensure that Scotland’s children and young people become responsible citizens, one of the cornerstones of the Curriculum for Excellence. And that by doing so it helps them to understand and influence the decisions that are made about them and for them by adults.

It also says there is a clear expectation that authorities will make all reasonable efforts to ensure that the greatest number of pupils are meaningfully consulted, in ways that are appropriate to their age and maturity.

The Commissioner’s guidance document Participants, not Pawns is available on the SCCYP website and on Children in Scotland’s website www.childreninscotland.org.uk

Media enquiries: For SCCYP: Barbara Fraser, 0131 556 0770; Barbara.fraser@pagodapr.com   For Children in Scotland: Tracey Francis, 0131 222 2419; tfrancis@childreninscotland.org.uk