Every Child Has the Right to the Best Possible Health
What does it mean to experience your health rights in Scotland today?
The On My Way: A Picture of Children’s Health Rights Across Scotland report brings together the voices of more than 1,100 children and young people, parents and carers, health professionals and education professionals from across the country. Through surveys, conversations, creative activities and drawings, they shared what is working well, what needs to change and what matters most in helping every child achieve their best possible health.
The findings reveal both progress and challenge. Children know more about their rights than ever before, but many still struggle to experience those rights consistently in practice. Families face complex systems and long waits for support. Professionals remain deeply committed to children’s rights but often work within stretched services and growing demand.
This report is about more than healthcare. It is about being listened to, feeling safe, having trusted adults, accessing support when needed, enjoying childhood, and having the opportunity to thrive. Most importantly, it is about ensuring that every child can realise their right to the best possible health.
Chapter 1: Children and Young People | “Listen to us.”
638 children and young people took part in the survey, including 224 creative drawings that gave younger children the opportunity to share their experiences in their own way.
What We Learned
Children told us they want:
- Adults to listen to them directly.
- Information they can understand.
- Trusted adults who help them feel safe.
- Earlier access to mental health support.
- Opportunities to play, learn and participate.
- Their rights to be respected every day.
Key Findings
Children want to be heard
While most children reported feeling listened to, many described situations where professionals spoke to parents rather than directly to them. One young person said:
Sometimes doctors and nurses explain what is wrong to my parents and not to me. This makes me feel like I don’t matter.
Children want information they can understand
Almost one in four children said information was not always explained in a way they could understand. Children want communication that is clear, age-appropriate and centred around them.
Trusted adults matter
Parents, carers, teachers and supportive professionals play a crucial role in helping children feel safe, confident and supported.
Support is not always available when needed
Many children highlighted long waits for mental health and neurodevelopmental services, often with very little support while they waited.
What Needs to Change?
- Speak directly to children.
- Improve child-friendly communication.
- Protect access to trusted adults.
- Reduce waiting times.
- Help children understand and use their rights.
Chapter 2: Parents and Carers | “Rights shouldn’t depend on how hard you fight.”
321 parents and carers shared their experiences of supporting children and young people across Scotland.
What We Learned
Families increasingly understand children’s health rights. However, many felt that knowing a child’s rights and experiencing those rights are two very different things.
Key Findings
Awareness is increasing
Nearly 65% of families felt confident understanding their child’s health rights.
Access remains difficult
Many parents described long waiting times, complicated referral pathways and difficulties accessing support when it was needed.
Families are carrying the burden
Many families felt they needed to constantly advocate, challenge decisions and navigate systems to secure support.
It feels like I am always having to fight the system for any kind of care.
Children are waiting too long
Delays to mental health and neurodevelopmental services emerged as one of the strongest concerns across Scotland.
Families want a greater voice
Most families had never been asked for feedback by their Health Board, despite being eager to help improve services.
What Needs to Change?
- Easier access to services.
- Better support while waiting.
- Simpler systems.
- Consistent rights-respecting practice.
- More opportunities for families to shape services.
Chapter 3: Health Professionals | “Committed but constrained.”
162 health professionals from across Scotland contributed to the survey.
What We Learned
Health professionals are deeply committed to promoting children’s rights, but many feel increasingly constrained by workforce pressures, demand and limited resources.
Key Findings
Strong commitment to children’s rights
89% reported awareness of their responsibilities as duty bearers under the UNCRC.
Training and resources are needed
Professionals want more practical tools and child-friendly resources to help children and families understand their rights.
Participation is improving
Many professionals are actively finding new ways to hear children’s voices and involve them in decisions about their care.
Disabled children continue to face barriers
Professionals highlighted significant challenges around access, transitions and specialist support for disabled children and young people.
System pressures are growing
Increasing demand and workforce pressures are making it harder to consistently deliver rights-based care.
Mental health support is under strain
Long waits for CAMHS and neurodevelopmental services were identified as the most pressing national concern.
What Needs to Change?
- More resources and workforce capacity.
- Better access to specialist services.
- Stronger support while children wait.
- Improved participation.
- Greater access to rights-based training.
Chapter 4: Education | “Schools supporting more than ever.”
56 education professionals shared their experiences of supporting children’s health and wellbeing across Scotland.
What We Learned
Schools are increasingly becoming a key source of health and wellbeing support for children and young people. However, many professionals feel schools are being asked to do more while support from elsewhere becomes harder to access.
Key Findings
Rights are embedded in many schools
Education professionals showed strong awareness of children’s rights and the role they play in promoting them.
Schools are responding to growing need
Educational settings are increasingly supporting physical health, mental health and wellbeing concerns.
Participation matters
Many schools are creating opportunities for children to have a say in decisions affecting them.
Care experienced children need continued support
The Promise and trauma-informed practice are making a positive difference, but professionals highlighted ongoing challenges.
Capacity is stretched
Resource limitations, staffing challenges and delayed access to external support services remain major issues.
Delays are affecting education
Children waiting years for assessments or specialist support are often struggling with attendance, participation and wellbeing.
What Needs to Change?
- More specialist support.
- Stronger multi-agency working.
- Better communication between services.
- Earlier intervention.
- Greater investment in support available within schools.
Chapter 5: The National Picture | “The moments that matter.”
Across every chapter and every group, the message was remarkably similar.
- Children want to be heard.
- Families want timely and accessible support.
- Health professionals want the resources needed to deliver rights-based care.
- Education professionals want services that help children before needs reach crisis point.
The National Priorities for Action
The report calls for:
- Timely, equitable and rights-based support.
- Greater consistency across Scotland.
- Earlier intervention and support while waiting.
- Meaningful participation of children and families.
- Investment in preventative and community support.
- Stronger collaboration across services.
- Workforce planning and investment.
Download the Full Report
The Voices of 1,100 Children, Families and Professionals Cannot Be Ignored
This webpage offers a snapshot of the findings, but behind every statistic is a child, a family, a professional and a story.
The full On My Way: A Picture of Children’s Health Rights Across Scotland report contains detailed findings, powerful quotes, evidence from across Scotland, and practical recommendations for change. It provides one of the most comprehensive pictures ever collected of how children’s health rights are being experienced in practice.
- Children told us about wanting to be heard.
- Families told us about fighting for support.
- Professionals told us about the barriers they face.
- Together, they have created a roadmap for change.
Download the full report today and help ensure every child can know their rights, experience their rights and realise their right to the best possible health.
ON MY WAY FULL REPORT– DOWNLOAD HERE.
