Party in Inverclyde to celebrate children's rights law

To mark the day that the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child officially came into force in Scotland a big family fun day took place in the Greenock Sports Centre.

Inverclyde has led the way in the last ten years in making sure that young people' voices are heard as the transition was made to put their rights at the very heart of decision making and policy.

Greenock Sports Centre (Image: George Munro)

Greenock Sports Centre (Image: George Munro)

From this day on all decisions taken on education, health, housing and fighting inequalities will have to meet with the (UNCRC) rights of the child.

The Inverclyde Council team who has worked round the clock to make it happen invited local families to come celebrate with them.

Children's rights officer Caroline McCahill said: "This is a momentous day for children's rights and it brings together everything we have worked towards for the last ten years.

"We wanted to celebrate the landmark and what better way to do that than have a fun day for all the family.

"The summer holidays can be a difficult time for families trying to find ways to entertain children when they are off school.

"So we wanted to put this together for all the whole community, We have had an absolutely brilliant response. It was so busy with families coming from all over."

Greenock Sports Centre (Image: George Munro) Greenock Sports Centre (Image: George Munro)

On the day there were arts, crafts, inflatables, snacks, games and face painting all for free.

Caroline added: "What is important that from now on that we as a local authority and public services will be held accountable for ensuring that children's rights are met.

"It will make a massive difference to children, young people and families going forward. It is everything that we have worked for and this is a really, really important day."

In Scotland children and young people’s rights can now be enforced, but it will also mean that public authorities must take steps to progressively realise children’s rights in decisions and action.

(Image: George Munro)

As part of that there is the 'The Promise' was put in place following an independent review in to the care system to ensure that the human rights of all children are upheld including those who are care experienced.

In recent years the team have worked with local organisations, schools and businesses to make sure the whole community is on board.

Organisations across the area were invited to sign up and abide by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child with young people training as assessors.

From July 16 onwards children’s rights as set out by the United Nations will be legally protected in Scotland.