Midlothian Council has pledged to support the rights of children from armed forces families after hearing one councillor’s personal experience.
Councillor Pauline Winchester told colleagues she moved around the world as a child living in eleven different homes and attending five different primary schools.
She called on Midlothian Council staff and elected members to sign up to the Forces Children’s Rights Charter, which pledged to give ‘forces kids’ a voice and support their needs.
Councillor Winchester, whose father served in the British Army Royal Artillery, said: “Children born into a forces family have a unique life.
“I sat down last week and counted how many homes and schools I had up to the age of 18. I had eleven homes in five different countries including a caravan and a Nissan hut.
“I also had five primary schools in six years and three of these were in different countries. We certainly did not have the help that we required but by pledging to adopt the forces children’s rights charter we as a council can help.”
The Charter, which was developed by charity Forces Children Scotland with the help of young people with personal experience, asks people and organisations to sign a pledge to ensure youngsters rights are respected and they can access services they need.
Setting out the purpose of the Charter, the charity says: “Babies, children and young people from armed forces families live extraordinary lives. Their experiences help them develop courage, adaptability and energy.
“But strength is not the same as not needing support. All children thrive when the adults and systems around them listen, care and act on what they are told, and Forces children are no different.
“That’s why, led by children and young people from forces families themselves, the Forces Children’s Rights Charter was created: outlining what needs to change so every forces child is seen, heard and supported.”
Councillor Winchester brought a motion to a meeting of the full council this week asking the council to recognise the charter, adopt it and support continued awareness of the needs of armed forces children and young people when implementing policy across council services and with partner organisations.
It also asked them to make schools and community partners aware of their support of the charter and ensure there is an opportunity for Forces Children Scotland to engage with the council’s children’s services.
Councillor Winchester said: “Everyone in the council has a role to play, become a charter defender and uphold the rights of children from armed forces families.
“I urge all councillors and council staff to go to the charter and take the pledge.”
The motion was seconded by Councillor Margot Russell and unanimously accepted by councillors.
Provost Debbi McCall praised Councillor Winchester for her support to forces children.
She said: “Sometimes we wonder what posts people are going to take up and I think we are quite a good example of having champions who live and breathe the cause they are championing and certainly Councillor Winchester is an excellent example of that.”
