My First Visit to Parliament

My First Visit to

Scottish Parliament

On the 19th April, Jordan Croan, Who Cares? Scotland’s South East Advocacy and Participation Manager, was invited to speak at the Equalities, Human Rights and Justice Committee. This meeting was part of the Committee’s work on “Civil Justice – Hearing Children’s Views”

Gemma Ferrie, Policy & Participation and took place inside Scottish Parliament. The committee were

Assistant looking at how a new law would work in practice in Scotland called the Children Scotland Act 2020. Which has given new rights to children to be heard in courts in a way they choose.

As a member of the Policy & Participation team, I got to go along to be part of the audience. This was my first time visiting and I was excited about going, I thought the parliament would be an intimidating building, but surprisingly it wasn’t, the reception and hallways felt like the inside of a theatre. When it was time for the Committee to start, we went upstairs and sat in the rows of seats facing the round table of Members of Scottish Parliament (MSPs).

Jordan explained children can find courts formal and unfriendly, and how advocates can ensure children’s views are heard in decisions made about their lives. He told the Committee that it should always be the young person’s choice if they want to be online or in the room, he also explained lots of creative ways that advocacy work supports children to express their views e.g Minecraft.

It was interesting to hear Jordan give examples of times when courts wouldn’t accept an advocate’s delivery of their young person’s views, even in cases where it was best for the young person to have their views said by an advocate. Jordan also spoke about Who Cares? Scotland’s work to make sure all young people have a right to independent advocacy, because right now not everyone who needs it can get it.

During the session, ideas of what recommendations could be made by the Committee to Scottish Government to improve advocacy and children’s panels were discussed. We are waiting to hear from Parliament about what official recommendations are going to the Scottish Government.

I was glad to see MSPs listening and talking about the care system and what’s going on in Care Experienced people’s lives, about children’s panels and advocacy, it felt like they cared and were committed.