UNDERSTANDABLY young people sometimes feel that adults don’t always listen to them. At times they can be left a little frustrated that their concerns, their perspective on issues, their ideas, fall on deaf ears.

Well, last week, politicians, teachers, police and parents, heard loud and clear the views of young people at a conference to discuss the Children and Young People (Scotland) Bill, which was recently passed by the Scottish Parliament.

I was impressed with the pupils from St Columba’s High School and its associated primary schools and nurseries — St Andrew’s, St Joseph’s, St Ninian’s, Bluebird Child and Family Centre, Binnie Street Children’s Centre and Larkfield Children’s Centre — who challenged the perspectives of the adults in attendance and reminded them of the range of rights that children are entitled to.

These include the right to be heard and to have their views taken seriously. The right to an education that develops their personality, talents and abilities to the full. The right to a proper childhood where they are safe from harm. And the right to be healthy and have access to proper medical care. As a result of the Children and Young People (Scotland) Bill, the Scottish Government will be required to consider all these rights when making policy decisions.

Local government will also be required to develop children’s services plans every three years, report on what they are doing in relation to children’s rights and actively listen to children and young people.

Further, there will also be a drive to improve the way services support children and families, by promoting co-operation between services, with the child at the centre.

This is a positive step-forward and one which I hope will achieve better outcomes for the younger generation, giving them a greater voice and a bigger say.