New figures show that 43% of pupils in Scottish schools – nearly 300,000 children – now have an Additional Support Need (ASN), the highest proportion ever recorded. This includes children with social, emotional or behavioural difficulties, learning disabilities such as dyslexia, autism spectrum disorder, and family-related challenges.
children's health scotland
Children’s Health Scotland responds to State of the Nation Report: Making children’s health and rights a reality
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.
Scotland’s first proposal for the Children’s Rights Scheme: Making Rights Real for Every Child
The Scottish Government has published its first Proposal for the Children’s Rights Scheme under the UNCRC Incorporation (Scotland) Act 2024, marking a historic milestone in embedding children’s rights into law. Public authorities now have a legal duty to act compatibly with the UNCRC when delivering relevant functions, creating a proactive culture of accountability for children’s […]
Scotland’s Child Poverty Crisis Deepens, Warns New Report
Child poverty in Scotland remains unacceptably high, according to a newly published report by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. Nearly one in four children are growing up in poverty, with over half living in households where someone is disabled. The report highlights worsening conditions for families due to insecure work, inadequate social security, and rising housing […]
Rights, Resilience and Real-Life Stories — our Autumn/Winter 2025 Magazine
Across Scotland, children and young people are discovering their health rights — and this season’s magazine from Children’s Health Scotland is a celebration of what happens when those rights are recognised, respected, and realised.
Celebrating Rights and Raising Voices – Care Experienced Week 2025
The rights and voices of care experienced children are the focus of this year’s Care Experienced Week – a powerful celebration of identity, resilience, and empowerment. Running from 25 October to 1 November, the week honours children, young people, and adults who have experience of care – whether through foster care, kinship care, residential settings, […]
Delivering on The Promise: A Call for Clarity, Commitment and Collective Action
Audit Scotland’s October 2025 report, Improving Care Experience: Delivering The Promise, offers a sobering reflection on Scotland’s progress towards fulfilling its national commitment to care experienced children and young people by 2030.
New research highlights lack of progress on young people’s mental health support
A new report has revealed limited progress and transparency in improving mental health support for young people in Scotland—six years after over 100 recommendations were made by the Youth Commission on Mental Health Services (YCMHS).
Mental health data reveals urgent need for action to support our children and young people
Data published by Public Health Scotland has revealed concerning trends in the mental health of children and young people across Scotland, reinforcing the urgent need for improved support, transparency, and investment.
💙 Celebrating Our Champions: Fundraising for Scottish Children’s Health Week
As Scottish Children’s Health Week (SCHW) draws to a close today, we’re reflecting on a week filled with creativity, connection, and care. From 1–7 September, children, families, schools, and communities across Scotland have come together to celebrate the health rights of children and young people under the theme #MyHealthMyRights and #BeMoreBear.
