The Commissioner for Children and Young People's Act received Royal Assent on May 1, 2003, and provided the legislative basis for the appointment of Scotland 's first Commissioner for Children and Young People, Kathleen Marshall, in April 2004.
Tam Baillie took up post as Scotland's Commissioner for Children and Young People in May 2009.
The general function of the Commissioner is to promote and safeguard the rights of children and young people and to:
generate widespread awareness and understanding of the rights of children and young people
consider and review the adequacy and effectiveness of any law, policy and practice as it relates to the rights of children and young people
promote best practice by service providers
commission and undertake research on matters relating to the rights of children and young people
The Commissioner is independent of the Scottish Government and is appointed by HM The Queen on the nomination of the Parliament. The Commissioner is accountable through a duty to report, at least annually, on the exercise of their functions, to the Scottish Parliament.
More information about the Commissioner and his office can be found at: www.sccyp.org.uk
Contact details:
Scotland's Commissioner for Children and Young People
85 Holyrood Road
Edinburgh
EH8 8AU
T: 0131 558 3733
E:
enquiries@sccyp.org.uk