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.
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 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.
Health, Rights and Results | The CHS Annual Review and Impact Report 2024-25
Over the past year, through the delivery of trauma-informed, rights-based services, Children’s Health Scotland (CHS) has supported 7,866 children and young people, 7,185 parents and carers, and 5,743 professionals across Scotland—empowering children to thrive and helping families feel informed, included, and supported.
Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry publishes case study on children and young people’s voices
The Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry has published a new case study highlighting the experiences of over 2,000 children and young people across Scotland during the pandemic. The case study is part of the Inquiry’s public participation initiative, Let’s Be Heard, and explores how COVID-19 affected young people’s education, mental health, social lives, and family relationships.
New guidance strengthens children’s right to be heard in decisions that impact their health and wellbeing
Every child has the right to the best possible health—and that includes being heard. The Scottish Government’s updated guidance on children and young people’s participation in decision-making marks a significant step forward in ensuring that young voices are not only acknowledged but actively shape the services and policies that affect them. This guidance will influence […]
Join us in taking action against mental health stigma and discrimination
For too long tackling mental health stigma has been seen as the responsibility of those who have experienced it.
Concerns that children with disabilities are unable to access nursery
A new report highlights widespread failings, as children with highly complex disabilities and intensive health care needs are unable to access their right to nursery placements across Scotland.
