faith in politics
children and young people
Background
- Young people make a real contribution to our society, though often they are portrayed in the media as being antisocial, out of control and threatening.
- A 2007 report by UNICEF showed that the United Kingdom's children were the unhappiest in a survey of 21 developed countries. They drink, smoke and have sex more often than their contemporaries. Children in the UK also eat less often with their families and are less satisfied with life.
- In 1991 the UK signed the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland now each have a children's commissioner, who speak up on behalf of children and promote the values of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
- During the lifetime of someone turning 21 last year, there will have been over 400 different major announcements (acts of parliament, government strategies and funding changes) for children and youth services. That equates to around 20 every year, with each initiative lasting, on average, a little over 2 years. While many developments are welcome, so many changes are not necessarily a healthy way of supporting the most vulnerable children and families.
Issues
- Youth crime - Young people are particularly vulnerable to street crime and are disproportionately more likely to be victims. But children and young people are also seen as the problem. Policy makers and sections of the media need to portray positively what it means to be young today. Young offenders need opportunities to turn their lives around and develop the practical and emotional skills to make a positive contribution to society. Alternatives to custody must be sought.
- Access to opportunities - Young people who are not in employment, education or training (NEET) often need additional support. Programmes should develop a young person's ability to learn, rather than just focusing on ‘achievement' - meaning the award of a qualification.
- Families - Families are important because they are where almost all children are brought up and where children learn to care for others. Today, family life is pressurised and families often need support.
- Children with disabilities - Over the past 10 years, the population of disabled children has changed. More children with complex and severe impairments are surviving due to medical advances, and there is a significant increase in the number of children diagnosed with disorders on the autistic spectrum. This has led to an increased demand for intensive support services, but in many cases local authorities cannot meet this demand.
- Children in care - Wherever possible, children should live with their birth families. Where this is not possible, they should have access to the highest quality services so that care is a positive experience. Positive outcomes, such as educational achievement, should be broadened to include the ability to live independently, a reduction in challenging behaviour and improvement in emotional wellbeing. Giving children and young people security and stability is the key.
- Child neglect - Neglect has a devastating impact on a growing number of children across the UK each year. It is the most pervasive form of child maltreatment in the UK, with the risk for recurrence higher with neglect than for any other type of abuse. Effective and timely interventions can make all the difference.
Questions
- What can be done to help promote a positive vision for children and young people as full and active citizens in society?
- What kinds of support do families need most to help them during difficult times?
- Often vulnerable families are wary of the ‘formal' services that are available to them. How would you support the voluntary sector within the community to provide services that are responsive to local needs?
Further information
Samantha Windett, Parliamentary and Public Affairs Officer, Action for Children
Contact: email 
Website 
Please note: the views and analysis outlined in this paper are those of the author alone and do not constitute a statement of policy on the part of the organisation the author belongs to.
Faith in Politics: Acknowledgement and thanks
