Shelter Scotland Response to Scottish Government Consultation on Progressing Children's Rights in Scotland - An Action Plan 2018-21

This is Shelter Scotland's response to the Scottish Government consultation on Progressing Children's Rights in Scotland - An Action Plan 2018-21. We believe that children who are at risk of homelessness or experiencing homelessness are not adequately protected by existing rights frameworks and want to see improvement in ensuring that children's rights are fully realised in this area.

We welcome the ambition to progress the rights of children in Scotland via an action plan. There are several issues around homelessness and social security which currently preclude children from realising their rights as outlined in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. A secure home is absolutely central to a child’s development and wellbeing and the traumatic upheaval of homelessness is not something a child should have to experience.

Better preventative work, effective interventions and support referral pathways in place at an earlier stage are integral to ensuring that children do not experience homelessness. Where it does happen, more responsive and joined up services are required to minimise its impact. Allocations policies for both temporary and permanent accommodation should also have a greater focus on the needs and views of children.