Teenagers: “raise your voice” to advise Children’s Commissioner

Teenagers are being encouraged to join a group advising the Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland. 

Bruce Adamson, the Commissioner, works to promote and protect children’s human rights and relies on a Young Advisers Group as one of the key ways to hear directly about the issues that matter. They tell his office when to “raise your voice” and defend children’s rights. During the pandemic, young advisers have spoken out with the Commissioner on issues like mental health, school closures and poverty.  

Anyone living in Scotland aged between 14 and 17 can apply to be a Young Adviser in the group. Meetings are currently online, and the Commissioner is keen for people who haven’t previously been part of organised groups to apply.  

Young Advisers work with the Commissioner and his team on lots of different projects, share their opinions, and influence decision-making. They’ll be able to take part in creative tasks, organise events, and have lots of fun along the way. They’ll be supported by the Commissioner’s team and previous Young Advisers. 

Coll, whose time as a Young Adviser is just ending, said: “If you think applying to be a Young Adviser means applying for yet another tick-box position for an organisation paying lip service to issues facing young people, you could not be more wrong.

“You’re applying to a role which will place you at the heart of the strategic decision-making of one of Scotland’s foremost young people’s organisations.”  

Bruce Adamson said: “I have the best job in the world, and the best part of that is working with children and young people. The Young Advisers Group helps my office to effectively stand up for children’s rights.

“They’ve shaped a huge range of our work, from policing in the pandemic, to climate justice, to exam cancellations and they’ve helped us recruit new staff and recently influenced the design of our new website.

“I want our new Young Advisers Group to reflect Scotland’s diversity and we’d especially love to support young people who might not have done anything like this before, so whatever your background or experience, please apply.”  

Applications close at 5pm on March 1st, 2021. For more information, and to apply, please visit cypcs.org.uk/get-help/young-people/become-a-young-adviser/