‘Children and young people are to be involved in designing and delivering services aimed at them through a partnership between Unicef UK and six local authorities.’
Children and Young People Now, reported this initiative between Unicef and six councils across England. A ray of light for young people and a way to enable their voice to be heard.
The Child Rights Partners project aims to put child rights at the heart of public services and will prioritise improving services for the most vulnerable children, including those living in care, living in poverty and young people affected by drug and alcohol misuse.
Over three years, the six councils spread across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland will work with young people to tackle different problems.
These include:
- Tower Hamlets will involve young people in designing substance misuse services
- Derry will focus on arts, sports and positive play
- Glasgow will focus on two service areas: developing a rights-based approach to services for care-leavers and early years
- Leeds will improve service provision for looked-after children, ensuring that their entire journey through the social care system is rights-based.
- Neath and Port Talbot will focus on vulnerable families where the parents have drugs and alcohol, domestic violence and mental health issues.
- Newcastle will adopt a rights-based approach to tackling child poverty.
David Bull, executive director of Unicef UK, said: “Public services have sometimes failed children and young people by not listening to their opinions and needs, so we welcome the opportunity to work in partnership with these pioneering local authorities.’
Article taken from Children and Young People Now 20.11.13
Sue Martin
SmithMartin Partnership LLP – bringing communities together.
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