Petitioner: Sharon McCluskie on behalf of Play Scotland
Status:
Closed
Date Lodged:
31 August 2012
Play Scotland, the National organisation for Play works to promote the Importance of Play for all children and young people, and campaigns to create play opportunities in the community. We are underpinned by Article 31 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. Article 31 states that "all children have the right to play".
The Scottish Government is currently consulting on - A Scotland for Children: A Consultation on the Children and Young People Bill which will incorporate Children’s Rights into the Bill.
Play Scotland is calling on the Scottish Government to include a Statutory Duty for Play in this new Bill. This could place a Duty on local authorities to provide sufficient and satisfying play opportunities for children of all ages and abilities.
This would help the Scottish Government delivery on their commitment to improve children’s outcomes and quality of life through play.
Summary:
18 September 2012: The Committee took evidence from Marguerite Hunter Blair, Chief Executive, Play Scotland, Theresa Casey, President, International Play Association and Dr Sue Robertson, British Medical Association. The Committee agreed to write to the Scottish Government, COSLA, a selection of local authorities, the Early Years Taskforce, the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland and NHS Scotland and to invite the Minister to give evidence at a future meeting. Link to Official Report 18 September 2012 (450KB pdf)
11 December 2012: The Committee agreed to refer the petition under Rule 15.6.2 to the Education and Culture Committee as it has responsibility for scrutinising policy in this area and will, in due course, be considering the general principles of the Bill. Link to Official Report 11 December 2012 (518KB pdf)
4 June 2013: The Education and Culture Committee considered Petition 1440 by Sharon McCluskie, on behalf of Play Scotland, to include a statutory duty for play in the Children and Young People Bill. The Committee agreed to close Petition 1440, and to consider the issues it raises in the context of its scrutiny of the Children and Young People Bill. Link to Official Report 4 June 2013 (386KB pdf)
Written Submissions:
We are asking for MSPs and people with an interest in play to support this call by sigining our petition.
Thank you.
Play Scotland