Since it was established, the centre has advised over 50,000 parents, carers, children and young people on their legal rights and has had a major impact on thousands of lives.

Alongside emerging from the pandemic and overseeing the incorporation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child into Scots law, the centre’s upcoming work will be to ensure quality engagement and participation of children and young people in their advice and legal training services. 

Sarah Forster, new interim director of the Scottish Child Law Centre, said: “I’m excited to join the centre as it is celebrating an important milestone in its journey supporting children and young people’s rights in Scotland. The pandemic has exasperated many challenges faced by families putting a strain on children’s development and wellbeing which has to be tackled and meaning legislation at Holyrood securing further rights for children and young people is more important than ever.

“As Scotland’s first centre for Scottish child law, we have a core role to play in empowering children and families by providing them with the legal advice and knowledge they need to navigate the day-today issues thrown up, as we transition beyond the pandemic.”

Maria Galli, chair of the board of trustees, said: “I’m excited that we are able to celebrate the centre’s 30th birthday, and on behalf of everyone who has been involved over the past three decades, I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to our invaluable work. I’m especially looking forward to engaging with young people who are being invited to design our new logo and to participate in, and to inform our strategic planning for many of important child law and human rights issues.

“The centre was founded at the same time as the UK signed up to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. After 30 years we have many positive areas of progress in Scotland to reflect on, but we still have work to do. Our commitment firmly remains helping those children, young people, and families who need legal advice, training or information to protect their rights.”