Lochend, Imagine Care is a residential children’s home dedicated to providing a safe, nurturing, and rights-respecting environment for young people with additional support needs. As an organisation Children’s Rights and Wellbeing Assessments are used for any changes and developments within the house to ensure that children’s rights are at the centre of all we do, however we wanted more participation from our young people. We support young people with a range of experiences, abilities, and communication styles, and we work to ensure that each child’s rights are understood, embedded, and upheld in everyday practice.  

This case study outlines our creative, individualised work to embed the UNCRC into the care planning and lived experience of two young people who have Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), with one also having a Learning Disability and being non-speaking. Through creative tools, advocacy, and personalised resources, we sought to make rights meaningful, accessible, and empowering. 

Actions taken to advance children’s rights 

When a young person with ASD joined us from England, we immediately ensured he had access to an independent advocacy worker, recognising that his transition required support with a strong focus on children’s rights. While staff initially tried to engage him in discussions about his rights verbally, it became clear that this approach did not connect with him. Through reflective conversations, the team recognised the need for a more creative, visual method. 

Working closely with his key worker, the young person developed a personalised picture collage using personalised photographs. Each image was linked to a specific UNCRC right. This process enabled him to explore and understand his rights in a way that felt meaningful, relatable, and safe. The end product became a proud achievement for both him and staff. 

The young person’s personalised picture collage created alongside his key worker. 

Our second young person, who has ASD, a Learning Disability, and is non-speaking, required an approach that enabled meaningful participation despite communication barriers. Knowing she loved jigsaws, staff created a personalised puzzle based on her Care Plan. She engaged exceptionally well, recognising her name in the centre and identifying significant people in her life. This demonstrated that she could meaningfully participate when information was presented in an accessible, interest-based format. 

Building on this success, and reflecting our commitment to UNCRC implementation, we designed and made a bespoke UNCRC jigsaw. Unable to source an accessible version elsewhere, we created one tailored to young people with similar needs. She completed it with enthusiasm and skill, demonstrating both understanding and strong engagement. 

The UNCRC jigsaw. 

Staff continually reflected on the effectiveness of their approaches and adapted the activities based on feedback, observation, and engagement from the young people. Embedding these resources into Care Plans and Service Improvement Plans ensures ongoing accountability and sustained commitment to rights-respecting practice. 

Reason for action 

Actions were guided by the UNCRC, Scotland’s incorporation journey, and our commitment to ensuring access to rights for young people with communication differences. The work also arose from reflective practice and learning, staff recognised the limitations of traditional verbal or written approaches and sought to remove barriers to participation and empowerment. Both activities were designed to address barriers faced by young people with ASD, Learning Disabilities, and communication differences. By tailoring resources to their interests and abilities, we ensured equitable access to understanding and exercising their rights, particularly the right to participate, be heard, and receive information in accessible formats. 

Impact of the activity 

The impact has been significant: 

• Both young people now engage meaningfully in conversations about their rights using personalised, accessible tools. 

  
  

• The young man’s collage has strengthened his understanding of how his rights are reflected in his care. 

  
  

• The young woman’s puzzles have enabled her to participate actively in care planning for the first time in a fully accessible way. 

  
  

• Staff confidence, creativity, and commitment to accessible rights education have grown. 

  
  

• All work has now been embedded into the young people’s care plans, ensuring the approaches remain central to practice. 

  
  

• The UNCRC now directly underpins our Service Improvement Plan and aligns with the Health and Social Care Standards, strengthening accountability and consistency across the home. 

Learning and next steps 

Key learning included the importance of adapting resources to each young person’s interests, communication style, and sensory profile. We learned that visual, tactile, and creative approaches can significantly enhance understanding and participation for children with ASD or communication differences. 

Next steps include: 

• Developing more bespoke resources for other young people who may benefit from similar approaches. 

  
  

• Sharing learning with colleagues across the organisation and wider sector. 

  
  

Children’s Human Rights Approach principle - empowerment 

The picture collage and jigsaw resources enabled both young people to gain awareness of their rights in empowering formats. By giving them tools they could understand and enjoy, we increased their ability to influence their care and strengthened their confidence in expressing preferences, views, and choices. 

• The young man had ownership over the images used in his collage, making the activity personal and self-led. 

  
  

• The young woman engaged actively in care planning through the puzzle format. 

  
  

Both activities provided accessible mechanisms for expressing views, contributing to planning, and being active participants. 

Conclusion 

At Lochend, Imagine Care, we strive to be a safe, loving, brave, and rights-respecting home. This work demonstrates our ongoing journey to make children’s rights accessible, meaningful, and embedded in everyday life. Through creativity, collaboration, and unwavering commitment, we have taken significant steps toward ensuring that every young person we support can understand, experience, and exercise their rights in ways that truly meet their needs.