The Scottish Human Rights Commission’s State of the Nation 2025 warns that essential human rights—including the right to health—remain out of reach for many people in Scotland. The report highlights ten areas of urgent concern, including barriers to healthcare, food insecurity, housing challenges, and inadequate support for disabled people and families.
These findings echo what we see every day at Children’s Health Scotland. Behind every statistic is a child who deserves timely, equitable, and compassionate care. Our Manifesto – Every Child’s Right to Health calls for action to ensure that children’s health and wellbeing are placed at the heart of Scotland’s future.
Helen Forrest, Chief Executive of Children’s Health Scotland, said:
Economic, social and cultural rights are the foundations of a dignified life, and for children, they are non-negotiable. Yet too many children are waiting months for mental health support, living in poverty, or struggling to access basic healthcare. At Children’s Health Scotland, we are working to change this through our services, our Self-Management Skills Programmes, our young Health Rights Defenders, and resources that empower children and families. But systemic change is essential. We need a national commitment to make these rights a lived reality for every child.
How we’re responding
- Self-Management Skills Programmes: Building resilience and confidence for children with long-term conditions.
- Health Rights Defenders: Young children and young people with lived experience who guide our work. We provide the tools they need to understand and advocate for their rights.
- Special Smiles and Health-Related Play: Reducing anxiety and promoting wellbeing in healthcare settings.
- Training for carers and professionals: Ensuring trauma-informed, rights-based care across Scotland.
Looking Ahead: Launching Scotland’s First Health Rights Report
To strengthen accountability and amplify children’s voices, we are developing a new national Health Rights Report, which will be launched at our My Health, My Rights Conference 2026. This report will track progress on children’s health rights and provide evidence-based recommendations for policymakers, service leaders, and communities.
Join us in making children’s health and rights a reality:
👉 Read our Manifesto
👉 Find out about our programmes
👉 Support our work
CLICK HERE TO READ THE STATE OF THE NATION REPORT
