By bringing together a network of people working with and for children, alongside children and young people themselves, we offer a broad, balanced and independent voice. We create solutions, provide support and develop positive change across all areas affecting children in Scotland.
We do this by listening, gathering evidence, and applying and sharing our learning, while always working to uphold children’s rights. Our range of knowledge and expertise means we can provide trusted support on issues as diverse as the people we work with and the varied lives of children and families in Scotland.
Our priorities
Our priorities are the key areas we focus on.
Our values
Developed in 2014 and updated in spring 2022, our values inform all of our activity, including planning, delivery of services, recruitment and fundraising.
Our Manifesto for 2021-26
Our Manifesto outlines our policy calls and the changes we would like to see to ensure children and young people’s rights are upheld. It is supported by a range of organisations across the children's sector.
How we work
One of our strengths is the unique position we occupy within the children’s sector. This is a product of the varied work we do and the relationships we have – with our members, the wider children’s sector, local and national government and, most importantly, children and young people.
Grounded in children’s rights
Our work has a very strong child’s rights focus. It is underpinned by the United Nations Convention for the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and we are part of Together , an alliance of Scottish children's charities that works to improve the awareness, understanding and implementation of the UNCRC.
We have developed our own set of Participation & Engagement guidelines that we use in all of our work.
To ensure that all the different activity we are involved in joins up properly, we follow our Strategic Plan, which is closely aligned to our 2021-26 Manifesto.
The Strategic Plan and Manifesto were developed with our values in mind; in partnership with staff, our Board and our members; with the aim to support the children’s sector; and to help us achieve our vision.
We also work towards recognised awards and accreditations. Examples include the EFQM Recognition Scheme and the LGBT Charter of Rights.