Human rights are a list of things that all people – including children and young people – need in order to live a safe, healthy and happy life. You have them no matter where you are from, how old you are, what you believe, or how you choose to live your life. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) describes children as anyone up to the age of 18 and is an important agreement by countries who have promised to protect children’s rights.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PDF ON THE UN CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD
The UNCRC explains who children are, all their rights, and the responsibilities of governments. Governments cannot pick or choose which rights to honour. All the rights are connected, they are all equally important and they cannot be taken away from you. Adults must respect and protect the human rights of children and young people when they plan services, make policies and decisions. Children’s Health Scotland plays a big part in enabling children and young people to learn about their health and wellbeing and the fact that every child has the right to the best possible health.
The European Association for Children in Hospital (EACH) is an international umbrella organisation for the welfare of children in hospital and other healthcare services. Children’s Health Scotland is a member of EACH and represents the organisation in Scotland. EACH has created a Charter (shown opposite) that describes in 10 points the rights of sick children and their families before, during and after a stay in hospital and in other healthcare services. The rights mentioned in the Charter apply to all sick children, regardless of their illness, age, disability, origin, social and cultural background, reason, form or place of treatment, or whether they are in-patients or out-patients. The 10 principles of the EACH Charter relate in many respects to the rights of the child in general as set out in the UNCRC, as well as to the recognition of children’s different emotional and developmental needs depending on their age.
FREE E-learning resource
A FREE e-learning resource has been produced by Children’s Health Scotland that promotes a greater understanding of the healthcare rights and needs of children and young people (CYP) and their families. To access the FREE course CLICK HERE.
The e-resource can be easily accessed by families, and practitioners in health and social care, and has been designed to raise awareness of health and wellbeing in relation to CYP. Commenting on the FREE e-learning resource Anne Wilson, Head, Care Experience Children and Young People Services said:
We have used our knowledge and expertise in relation to the healthcare rights and needs of children and young people to develop this resource. Feedback has so far been excellent and it is really helping families and practitioners understand a rights-based approach to children’s health and wellbeing.
We have designed the e-learning course to embrace The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) so that families and practitioners can make sure children and young people are treated well and get a fair deal.
To access the FREE e-learning course visit: www.enetlearn.com/childhealthscot
