Functions

Promoting and safeguarding rights
4
1
The general function of the Commissioner is to promote and safeguard the rights of children and young people.
2
In exercising that general function the Commissioner is, in particular, to—
a
promote awareness and understanding of the rights of children and young people;
b
keep under review the law, policy and practice relating to the rights of children and young people with a view to assessing the adequacy and effectiveness of such law, policy and practice;
c
promote best practice by service providers; and
d
promote, commission, undertake and publish research on matters relating to the rights of children and young people.
2A
In exercising that general function the Commissioner may—
a
bring proceedings under section 7(1)(a) of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) (Scotland) Act 2024,
b
intervene in proceedings in which a person claims that a public authority has acted (or proposes to act) in a way which is made unlawful by section 6(1) of that Act.
S. 4(2A) inserted (16.7.2024) by United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) (Scotland) Act 2024 (asp 1), ss. 11(2), 47(2)(a)