United Nations Convention on Rights of the Child (UNCRC) 1989
children’s version

Save the Children is the the source of the child friendly wording of the Articles of the UNCRC www.savethechildren.org.uk.

The remainder of this booklet is copyright to SOSCN 2016. This is a free resource for children, parents and carers and out of school care services, however, it must not be sold, rebound repackaged or reworded. It can be copied only for the free information purposes set out here.

Introduction

At the Scottish Out of School Care Network, we believe in telling you about all of your rights and supporting every one of them.

We want your out of school club or holiday club to do this too. Some of the rights listed below link in with out of school care a lot!

Nearly every country in the world has agreed to the UNCRC, apart from Somalia, the United States of America and South Sudan.

• In terms of Article 31 out of school care provides you with a chance to play, relax, enjoy music, arts and sports.
• Article 12 is all about you having a say in what happens. Good out of school care services should help you participate and affect the choices that are made.
• Article 13 and Article 15 is about being allowed to make and do things in clubs with groups of friends, as long as that is not upsetting other people’s rights.
• Article 23 is about making sure you are included if you have a disability.
• If you are a refugee Article 22 protects your rights.
• If you are poor, or in need. Article 26, is there to protect you.

The following version in child friendly words of the Articles of the Convention below has been produced by Save the Children.
Save the Children child friendly UNCRC

If you prefer seeing this in pictures, have a look at the illustrated guide on the Scottish Commissioner for Children and Young People (SCCYP) website.
SCCYP website

This is a really good website for you, your parents or carers, and your out of school care service to use. Here is their summary rights booklet.
SCCPY rights booklet

The Articles of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (Articles are like promises governments have made).

• Article 1 Everyone under 18 has these rights
• Article 2 You have the right to protection against discrimination
• Article 3 Adults should do what’s best for you
• Article 4 You have the right to have your rights made a reality by government
• Article 5 You have the right to be given guidance by your parents and family
• Article 6 You have the right to life
• Article 7 You have the right to have a name and a nationality
• Article 8 You have the right to have an identity
• Article 9 You have the right to live with your parents unless it is bad for you
• Article 10 If you and your parents are living in different countries, you have the right to get back together and live in the same place
• Article 11 You should not be kidnapped
• Article 12 You have the right to an opinion and for it to be listened to and taken seriously
• Article 13 You have the right to find out things and say what you think, through making art, speaking and writing unless it breaks the rights of others
• Article 14 You have the right to think what you like and be whatever religion you want to be with your parents guidance
• Article 15 You have the right to be with friends and join or set up clubs, unless this breaks the rights of others
• Article 16 You have the right to a private life, i.e. you can keep a diary that other people are not allowed to see
• Article 17 You have the right to collect information from the media
• Article 18 You have the right to be brought up by your parents if possible
• Article 19 You have the right to be protected from being hurt or badly treated
• Article 20 You have the right to special protection and help if you can’t live with your parents
• Article 21 You have the right to have the best care for you if you are adopted or living in foster care
• Article 22 You have the right to special protection and help if you are a refugee
• Article 23 If you are disabled, either mentally or physically, you have the right to special care and education
• Article 24 You have the right to the best health possible and to medical care and information
• Article 25 You have the right to have your living arrangements checked regularly if you are living away from home
• Article 26 You have the right to help from the government if you are poor or in need
• Article 27 You have the right to have a good enough standard of living
• Article 28 You have the right to education
• Article 29 You have the right to education which develops your personality, respect for other’s rights and the environment
• Article 30 If you come from a minority group you have the right to enjoy your own culture, practice your own religion and use your own language
• Article 31 You have the right to play and relax and do things like sport, music and drama
• Article 32 You have the right to protection from work which is bad for your health or education
• Article 33 You have the right to be protected from dangerous drugs
• Article 34 You have the right to be protected from sexual abuse
• Article 35 No one is allowed to kidnap you or sell you
• Article 36 You have the right to protection from any other kind of exploitation
• Article 37 You have the right not to be punished in a cruel or hurtful way
• Article 38 You have the right to protection in times of war. If under 15 you should never have to be in the army or a battle
• Article 39 You have the right to help if you have been hurt, neglected or badly treated
• Article 40 You have the right to help in defending yourself if you are accused of breaking the law
• Article 41 You have the right to any rights in laws in your country or internationally that give you better rights than these
• Article 42 All adults and children should know about this convention
• Articles 43 - 54 are about how governments and international organisations will work to give children their rights

More information

Scotland’s Commissioner for Children and Young People is responsible for making sure the promises made to young people by the UN Convention are delivered. More at: www.cypcs.org.uk/

UNICEF is the United Nations agency that promotes children’s rights all over the world. More at: www.unicef.org.uk

Phone ChildLine on 08001111 for a confidential chat about any problem. Or visit www.childline.org.uk