At Children’s Health Scotland, we believe every child should grow up knowing their rights in healthcare and feel confident using their voice when it matters most. Our recent Health Rights visits to Newfield Primary School and Wishaw Academy Primary School were a powerful reminder of just how impactful early learning, play, and rights based education can be.
Across both schools, we had the privilege of engaging with 538 children and young people, bringing health rights to life through our interactive and child centred sessions. Rhianne Forrest, Our Officer had this to say:
We are incredibly grateful to Newfield Primary School and Wishaw Academy Primary School for taking the time to ensure their children understand their health rights. These child-led, health related play and story sessions are always so popular, and we know that when children have the chance to explore healthcare through play, they are more likely to have positive and confident experiences with health services. We absolutely love spending time in schools, and there is something truly special about seeing children engage with our Playbox and bring Bear’s story to life.
Play, Learning and Rights in Action for Primary 1 to Primary 3
For our younger learners, we delivered our much loved Playbox sessions, following the story of Bear who takes a trip to hospital after breaking a leg. Through Bear’s journey, children were supported to understand their rights in a way that is meaningful, reassuring and fun. They met the caring professionals who help Bear along the way, including a paramedic, nurse and doctor, each demonstrating how children’s rights are respected in health settings. Children had the opportunity to use real stethoscopes, explore actual X rays and learn what a cast looks and feels like. These hands on experiences help demystify healthcare environments and reduce anxiety, ensuring children feel prepared and supported if they ever need care themselves. At the heart of these sessions is GIRFEC, ensuring every child feels safe, respected, included and listened to. Through our My Health, My Rights Charter and the principles of EACH, children learn that they have the right to be involved in decisions about their care and to have the support of their family. One Primary 3 pupil from Wishaw Academy captured the impact beautifully
I love it when you visit. I liked seeing the x rays and I liked using the stethoscope. It has made me feel less scared about hospital because grown ups will listen to me and my mummy can stay with me.
This powerful reflection shows how learning through play can build confidence, reduce fear and strengthen understanding of children’s rights in healthcare.
Amplifying Voices Through Rights Quest
For older pupils, sessions focused on participation, voice and advocacy. Through our Rights Quest, learners explored what health rights mean to them while contributing to our national Health Rights Survey and sharing their experiences. The Survey closes on 8 June so there is still time to have your say too! They also designed their own Health Rights Defenders, using creativity to express what fairness, respect and inclusion in healthcare looks like. This work strengthens children’s understanding of their rights while empowering them to speak up and influence change. These sessions bring together the My Health, My Rights Charter, GIRFEC and the principles of EACH, ensuring children understand their right to be heard, to access appropriate healthcare and to be treated with dignity and respect.
Every Child, Every Right
Our visits to Newfield Primary and Wishaw Academy Primary truly reflected what it means to put children at the centre. Across both schools we saw confidence growing, understanding deepening and voices being heard.
The enthusiasm, creativity and insight shown by pupils and staff has been inspiring. These schools are not just taking part, they are true Health Rights Defenders, helping to build a culture where children’s rights are recognised and respected in every healthcare interaction.
Looking Ahead
Through programmes like these, guided by My Health, My Rights, GIRFEC and EACH, we continue working towards a Scotland where every child feels safe and informed in healthcare settings, knows their rights and has their voice heard. If your school would like to take part in a Health Rights Visit and empower your pupils to become Health Rights Defenders, we would love to hear from you. Please contact Rhianne at CYPHRS@childrenshealthscotland.org to find out more.
A huge thank you to Newfield Primary School and Wishaw Academy Primary School for such a warm welcome and for defending children’s health rights.
