We are pleased to announce that our Psychological Services/Children’s Rights and Participation Group are COSLA Excellence Awards Finalists in Cat 4 – Strengthening Communities & Local Democracy. Read More:https://buff.ly/a5wC5lq

"Capacity" is a barrier or a gateway for CYP exercising their rights under the UNCRC But what is it? Much discussion is based on simple (outdated!) models of child development. Here's how I think that changes across the main theories - it makes a difference to what capacity is & how to assess?

What a busy day for @highland.gov.uk Psychological Service at the Vision 26 Family Fun Day today. Thanks to everyone who joined us, played in our cafe, shared their feelings faces and added to our feel good bag. @loukinnear.bsky.social @carrieyavuz.bsky.social

Participation ROCCS! But adult myths about capacity get in the way That’s what children told us, and here’s a resource they helped us to make so adults can reflect on the myths and change their practice More in the thread – feel free to use as long as you give us feedback!

Delighted to share more of this work a year on from the day that the UNCRC was incorporated into Scots Law. Please read the whole thread to see parts of the resource and a short video!

We asked children & young people what they made of common adult myths about their capacity - this one got some strong reactions, and great ideas for creating some resources The adventures of Mythical Mungo and Capacity Callum begin! Which one are you?

The children & young people had a lot to say on this, privileged to have had the opportunity to listen to their views and hear what they think needs to be done. Next step is to follow through on what they’ve asked and share this and the resources we are developing far and wide.

The depth & strength of joint working. Click link to learn more about the wider strength & offer of support for our children & young people from Armed Forces Families: The MLG (Education) partnership tinyurl.com/3ca8kprf @highland.gov.uk @bernadettecairns.bsky.social @jochamberlain.bsky.social

📃 Our new report shows what must change in education to make rights real for every child. Our recommendations include support for the workforce, like this innovative work in @highland.gov.uk & @moraycouncil.bsky.social. Well supported adults means better supported children. Report: bit.ly/3RsP6mt

The hard work and creativity that went into this between the children and the MLG is just incredible! Well done to everyone involved 👏

Fascinating and inspiring to hear @danwuori.bsky.social talking about *prenatal* learning and interaction Chimes so well with our Words Up messages that midwives and health visitors share with parents

Celebrate #InternationalDayOfHappiness with Commissioner Nicola Killean on March 20! 🎉 Join us live at 2pm for a fun assembly with BSL interpretation, where we’ll explore mental health, enjoy some laughter yoga, & share what makes us feel good. 👉 bit.ly/3Wt1rKC

Children and young people in highland had (have) lots to say about participation, and what that meant to them… we owe it to them to ensure that we implement what they have told us. We’ve used the Lundy Model, combined with the key themes from the engagement sessions to support us to do just that.

We're excited to be delivering this new training soon, launching our new anti-racism through storybooks resource for nursery and primary; 'Mirrors & Windows'. Book via the Highland Council CPD site or Eventbrite for 24 Feb shorturl.at/SrTGx or 18 March shorturl.at/tJSmp.

@jochamberlain.bsky.social 😊… so much great work going on in @highland.gov.uk . I’m looking forward to sharing a fantastic resource that C&YP from Armed Forces families in Highland are currently co-creating … but not until they feel it’s ready!

Please don’t expound the benefits of child participation while you develop laws & policies without them. An infographic explaining what you should do when you haven’t involved children on the right. The left is for those wanting to do their best to get it right- Lansdown’s 3Cs plus the Lundy Model.

Marking the 100th anniversary of the UN Declaration on the Rights of the Child with some reflections on the child’s right to participation.