First Scottish council adopts the Forces Children's Rights Charter

First Scottish council adopts the Forces Children's Rights Charter

Inverclyde Council has become the first local authority in Scotland to endorse the Forces Children's Rights Charter - marking a milestone in strengthening the rights of children from Armed Forces families in Inverclyde.

The charter, created by charity Forces Children Scotland, sets out what children from military families believe they need in order to have their rights respected, protected and supported.

It has now been adopted by the local authority following a motion by Councillor Graeme Brooks, who is the council's Armed Forces Champion, and seconded by Councillor David Wilson, which was unanimously backed at a full council meeting on Thursday 11 June 2026.

Cllr Brooks said:

"I welcome the contribution made by Armed Forces families within Inverclyde and it's important to highlight that children from Armed Forces families can experience unique challenges arising from high mobility, parental deployment, separation, and transitions between schools and communities.

"The charter emphasises the importance in recognising the rights of children and young people from regular, reservist and veteran families.

"I'd like to thank my council colleagues for unanimously endorsing the charter and once again making sure Inverclyde is leading the way in our support for our Armed Forces and their families."

The Forces Children's Rights Charter is a rights-based framework founded on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).

It was created by Forces Children Scotland in partnership with children and young people from Armed Forces families.

Commenting, Chief Executive Officer of Forces Children Scotland, Steven Sweeney, said:

"I'm delighted that Inverclyde Council has today become the first local authority in Scotland to endorse the Forces Children's Rights Charter. To use the words of one of our young people from Armed Forces families, the charter is a representation of their 'ideas, stories and vision for the future'.

"I'd especially like to thank Cllr Graeme Brooks for working with us to ensure that children and young people from Armed Forces families are seen and respected.

"They are a group in society whose voices are seldom heard, and the council's decision to endorse the charter demonstrates its commitment to ensuring they are given the best possible start in life.

"We look forward to continuing our work with the local authority and Cllr Brooks to ensure the aims of the charter are realised."

The motion highlighted that there are 2,289 veterans in Inverclyde, including 16 veterans and reservists within the Inverclyde Council workforce, and there are 156 pupils in education - primary, secondary, additional support needs (ASN), and nursery - from an Armed Forces family.

Cllr Wilson, who seconded the motion, said:

"Inverclyde has a proud reputation of supporting our Armed Forces veterans and serving personnel and their families.

"Adopting the Forces Children's Rights Charter - the first council in Scotland to do so - further strengthens our support for the Armed Forces and, more importantly, lets young people in our community from an Armed Forces family that we are right behind them."

The motion that went to full council, including more information about the charter, is within Agenda Item 05 on the council website at via the link in the Related Links section of this page and a recording of the meeting is available on the council's YouTube channel via the Other Websites section of this page.

More information about the Forces Children's Rights Charter and Forces Children Scotland can be found on the charity's website via the link in the Other Websites section of this page.

Page last updated: 12 June 2026