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Children and Families Panel

The UNCRC is very much connected with the experience of family life, and parents and carers are respected as grounding the child in love, happiness and security, the basis for a good childhood.

Recognising the importance of family life in the UNCRC and the role of families as a child’s primary educator, carer, and advocate, we’ve adopted a family approach for this project. We’ve recruited 13 families from diverse background to form the Children and Families Panel.

Using creative methods, this panel explores the relationship between family life and children’s rights while offering insights into how professionals can make rights a reality for children in Scotland.

Professional Panel

Made up of individuals from various backgrounds and regions in Scotland, the Professional Panel plays a vital role in shaping the Framework through a collaborative process. This panel consists of 22 members from eight local authorities, two NHS boards, eight public authorities, and two third sector organisations. We have members who work across Scotland, in rural, island and urban communities.

The professionals are sharing their experiences of the Scottish workforce, the opportunities and challenges they see for the implementation of the UNCRC, and what is needed from the Framework to help the Scottish workforce to fully realise children’s rights.

Thank you

The partnership team would like to thank our Professional Panel for all their hard work and support of the project.

Josh Barnham, Child Friendly Complaints Project Lead, Scottish Public Services Ombudsman
Gillian Finlayson, Health Visitor, NHS Lothian
Lyndsey Forsyth, ADHD Nurse Specialist, QN, Children and young person’s community nursing team, NHS Fife
Maria Galli, Human Rights Lawyer
Greg Hiddleston, National Executive, Skills Development Scotland
Jen Hodson, Education Support Officer, Midlothian Council.
Melissa Hunt, Policy and Practice Manager, Scottish Children’s Reporter Administration
Alison Leslie, Team Leader Climate & Sustainability Policy, Aberdeen City Council
Clare McGuire, Head of Programme: women, children, young people and families, NHS Education for Scotland
Gemma McQuillian, Depute Head Teacher, Tulach ELC, Clackmannanshire Council
Jennifer Orren, Participation Officer, Scottish Children’s Reporter Administration
Lewie Peterson, Global Citizenship Development Officer, Shetland Islands Council
Gillian Robertson, Homeless and Housing Options Team Leader, West Dunbartonshire Council
Sarah Rogers, Senior Policy and Public Affairs Officer, Families Outside
Jennifer Smith, PGDE LLB DPLP, East Lothian Council, previous Children’s Rights Coordinator at Children’s Hearings Scotland
June Stefani, UNCRC & Equalities Development Officer, South Ayrshire Council
Dr Jessica Street, Consultant Community Paediatrician, NHS Lothian
Nadia Stuart, Participation Officer, Scottish Refugee Council
Shameen Syed, Teacher of RMPS at Kirkcudbright Academy, EiS Equalities Rep
Fiona Vornic, Depute Head Teacher, Glasgow City Council
Gemma Watson, Planning Officer, Dundee City Council
Katie Westwood, Learning and Development Worker for Forces Children Scotland, now Lecturer for the University of Dundee

Thank you to the Children and Families Panel, the Professional Panel, all the stakeholders, volunteers and collaborators who have shared their experiences, views, and ideas. We are grateful for your invaluable contributions.