Children in conflict with the law - information for Children and Young People

Understanding CCE In Scotland – Children and Young Person’s Resource

The link below takes you to an interactive webpage created on Canva by Holly Maclean based on research carried out in 2023 by Nesha Dixon for the Children and Young People’s Centre for Justice, Action for Children and the Scottish Government. 

CYCJ (Centre for Child and Youth Justice) were looking to find out more about Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE) because in Scotland there is not enough research about this issue. This resource has been designed to make some of the key findings from this research more accessible for all audiences. Click the purple link below to jump between chapters and explore some of the key findings from this important research.

The full version of this report is also available HERE

A printable version of this young person’s resource is also available HERE

https://www.canva.com/design/DAFjEEcj2d8/xFFxCUbV4Hz_MuICS3pJFA/view#2

 

 

Letter of rights - your rights when you are in a police station: guide for children and young people

This letter for children and young people held in police custody in Scotland, sets out their rights in straightforward language. This version was created in April 2023.

Letter of rights - your rights when you are in a police station: guide for children and young people - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

There is a easy read version available here - Your Rights when you are at the Police Station - Easy Read Version (soldnetwork.org.uk)

 

Just the right space

Whether you’re a child, young person or an adult seeking support and trying to understand how the justice system works, this is a space for you - Just The Right Space – CYCJ. Here you’ll find info and advice, the rights you’re entitled to and other people’s experiences, and places that can offer you support.

This website was created by the Children and Young People’s Centre for Justice (CYCJ) and has been co-designed with young people who have justice experience.

 

Creating a rights-respecting guide for children in conflict with the law

The Children and Young People’s Centre for Justice (CYCJ) has published a guide to Scotland’s Whole System Approach, aimed at supporting children to understand what their rights are and what supports are available, when they have come into conflict with the law.

This guide was created in collaboration with young people who have had contact with justice systems, and gone through the various stages of the Whole System Approach (WSA).

Working alongside Staf (Scottish Throughcare and Aftercare Forum), three young people led on the creation of ‘Whole System Approach: A guide for children and young people’.

Through the process of speaking to other children and young people who had experience of the various stages of the WSA, Marie, Dale and Jason have created an accessible resource which highlights some of the important information that they believed children and young people should be aware of when coming into contact with the justice systems.

The content explains what children and young people can expect at every stage of the process.

Information is also provided, which explains the meaning of words used.

This guide is particularly relevant as Scotland moves towards incorporating the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) into domestic law.

 

Age of Criminal Responsibility

On 17th December 2021 the age of criminal responsibility in Scotland changed from 8 to 12 years old. You can view a short animation on the changes to age of criminal responsibility here - Age of Criminal Responsibility in Scotland - YouTube

 

Journey through justice - an interactive guide through the youth justice system for children and young people

This interactive guide will guide you through what to expect at each step if a child or young person has been charged by police. https://content.iriss.org.uk/charged/

 

Supporting good practice with care experienced children in custody

The Children and Young People’s Centre for Justice (CYCJ), in collaboration with the Scottish Child Law Centre, has produced a new resource to support Scottish solicitors and practitioners with Good Practice Principles when representing care experienced children in police custody, to ensure their rights are upheld.

‘Representing care experienced children & young people in police custody: A good practice guide’ also includes advice for children and young people to help them know what their rights are, and what they are entitled to, in police custody. This guide was co-produced with care/justice experienced young people.

Other useful telephone numbers and websites: 

Children and Young Peoples Commissioner Scotland, call 0800 019 1179 
Childline, call 0800 1111 
Scottish Child Law Centre, call 0131 6676333
Who Cares Scotland, call 0141 226 4441 
Together – Scottish Alliance for Children’s Rights, call 0131 337 9015