Children and young people have a right to be heard and involved in decisions that affect them. Scottish Government have published a document entitled Decision-making: children and young people's participation. This aims to make it the norm for children and young people to be involved in decision-making across Scotland, so that they are at the heart of decisions that affect them. The commitment is to recognise, respect and promote children’s rights, as set out in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). 

A strategic approach to children and young people’s participation is being developed, as part of work on children’s rights. This approach links to the Year of Young People 2018 legacy and is set out in an Action Plan to Progress the Human Rights of Children in Scotland 2018 to 2021.

Children and young people (aged 3 to 18) are being engaged with to develop this approach.

The strategic approach to participation applies to anyone under the age of 18 (i.e. 0-18 years), in line with the UNCRC. However, this has been extended up to the 26th birthday for those who are care experienced, in line with duties to support care leavers set out in Scottish legislation.