Making it r wrld 2 - Consultation summary 11/04 [NI]
OFMDFM’s Children & Young People’s Unit has launched for consultation a draft 10-year strategy for children and young people. Entitled Making it r wrld 2, the strategy sets out a vision, values and an integrated way of thinking about all aspects of children & young people’s lives, including rights and citizenship. The closing date for responses is 28 February 2005.
Status of Document: Consultation until 28/2/05
Coverage: N.Ireland
Published by: OFMDFM’s Children & Young People’s Unit
The 136-paged consultation document is comprised of the following sections:
1. INTRODUCTION
The strategy originates from a provision in the Belfast Agreement to focus on young people… and ensure that ... policies and programmes take account of their needs.. It will cover everyone up to the age of 18, and young people with disabilities and care leavers up to the age of 21.
Why the strategy is needed:
- To give children and young people (c&yp) a higher priority
- To address the gaps in information about children and young people
- To enable organisations to work together for children and young people
- To help realise the rights contained in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), to which the UK signed up in 1991
The 10 year strategy aims to facilitate information sharing, common standards and child-centred focus within agencies/organizations. ‘Making it r wrld 2’ will be particularly important for those who develop policy and who provide services that affect children and young people. As well as the statutory sector, the strategy will apply to the voluntary and community sectors, faith-based organisations and the private sector. Individuals, families and communities are also encouraged to use the strategy. N. Ireland’s Commissioner for Children & Young People will have a key role in monitoring the strategy
SETTING THE SCENE
2. What We know about the Lives of Children & Young People Today
Reference is made to the Crick Report (DfEE 1998) and the information sources available, including Census data, Government Statistics, and studies by statutory/voluntary/community agencies and academics (Fuller information is provided in Annex 2). It is stressed that existing sources and statistical analysis cannot provide a full picture of children’s lives/needs. Focus is placed on sectarianism and racism and the need to ensure N. Ireland transforms into a post conflict society, with a ‘shared future’ for all. The strategy will also take account of the following findings:
Creating a Vision for all our Children Discussion paper
Discussions found that children are affected by the following common issues:
Intolerance & sectarianism/paramilitaries, conflict, leisure & play facilities, environment, safety/protection, education/schools, risk-taking behaviours bullying, transport, and promotion of rights/participation. The issues of vandalism, cultural awareness, parenting programmes, child-friendly information, poverty, exploitation and middle class neglect also featured strongly.
UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC)
Further action is recommended to disseminate information about the UNCRC & related Convention, and to establish a central mechanism to co-ordinate implementation. Enhanced child rights awareness training within government is also called for. With particular reference to N. Ireland, The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child has recommended further action on integrated education.
3. Supporting Children & Young People: Contribution of the Statutory, Voluntary & Community Sectors.
- Impact of Government Departments
The children & young people’s strategy will add value to existing initiatives (eg The Good Relations Policy, Racial Equality Strategy, Gender Strategy, Carer’s Strategy and Anti-Poverty Strategy) by connecting key parts, without duplication. Partnership working initiatives are highlighted, eg Early Years, Unlocking Creativity, Neighbourhood Renewal, Rural Regeneration, Partners for Change, Employability Task Force and Victims and Survivors. Reference is made to the role of the Inter-Departmental Group (IDG) on Children & Young People and OFMDFM’s establishment of the NI Commissioner for Children & Young People. Examples are given of each government department’s work in relation to children & young people. - Contribution of Voluntary, Community & Youth Sectors
Reflecting their governmental independence, this sector serves to innovate, provide direct services and lobby/campaign to effect change. Many of the 4500+ groups in N. Ireland focus on children & young people. Meanwhile, 4 out of every 5 young people participate in the youth service. (Annex 5 provides details of relevant organisations).SETTING THE AGENDA
4. A Vision for Children & Young People in N. Ireland
Vision
‘A N. Ireland in which children & young people thrive & look forward with confidence to the future.’ We will have achieved this when every child & young person:
- lives in a secure & peaceful community
- is free from poverty
- has the opportunity to realize his or her maximum potential
- is enabled to exercise his/her rights & fully participate as an active citizen
- experiences being valued, respected & understood
- is free from commercial exploitation
- has a voice in how s/he lives/ is cared for; and
- feels happy, safe, cared for and supported by family, community, government and wider society.
Values Underpinning the Vision
Children & Young People
- have dignity as human beings and are worthy of respect
- have rights as individuals
- need loving & supportive families/carers to enable them to develop fully
- are unique individuals each with a valuable & diverse contribution to make to society
- are active participants in society
- are important in their own right both now and in the future
- are entitled to both adult protection and opportunities to exercise their independence
- are entitled to live in a peaceful and non-threatening environment
- need support to explore and achieve their individual potential; and
- need support & encouragement through the transition from childhood to adulthood, enabling them to express respect for others and take increasing responsibility for their actions and decisions.
Draft Operational Principles
Actions taken under the strategy in relation to policy development & service delivery should be:
- Centred on the child/young person, energizing & empowering
- Family supporting
- Community Enhancing
- Inclusive & Fair
- Dynamic, Evidence-based & High quality
- Rights-Promoting
- Well co-ordinated & collaborative
5. A Rights-Based Whole Child Approach
Reference is made to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. The strategy links this rights perspective with the whole child perspective, taking into account individual capacity and entitlement, growth & development and networks of support. This requires the support of families and the wider community.6. Developing a 10 Year Agenda
Strategic outcomes, strategic objectives and actions are set out under the 5 areas outlined below. Cross-cutting themes of sectarianism and racism, transition across the age-range and additional needs of vulnerable/disaffected c&yp are taken into account throughout, Timescales/lead departments & indicators are detailed in the full consultation document.RIGHTS & EQUALITY
Strategic Outcome - All children & Young People in NI, according to their age & maturity will know their rights and the rights of others; are enabled to exercise their rights & these rights & responsibilities are respected promoted & protected.
Strategic Objectives (All articles of UNCRC) - To build an inclusive,open, fair & tolerant society where all c&yp are respected and valued equally
- To ensure the rights/best interests of children & young people are explicitly recognised in law, policy, planning & service delivery
Draft Actions
- Regulations to meet EU Employment Framework Directive, to tackle age discrimination in employment/training
- Racial Equality Strategy must reflect c&yp’s rights/needs
- Gender Strategy must reflect c&yp’s rights/needs
- Educational curricula will take into account equality/diversity
- Training Needs Analysis for those working with/for c&yp, leading to training in diversity
- Provision of training on UNCRC, children’s rights & whole child approach for relevant government staff, & encouragement of training in community/voluntary sector
- Awareness raising campaign to alert c&yp (and adults) of their rights
- Monitoring of implementation of UNCRC & other relevant rights instruments (eg via biennial report by Children & Young People’s Unit)
- To develop/support appropriate structures to ensure the participation of c&yp
- To support c&yp & organizations to enable them to participate in new & existing structures
Draft Actions
- Audit/evaluation of existing participation structures, drawing on international best practice
- Guidance material /provision of training /support for government staff on participation of c&yp in decision-making process
- Visible involvement of c&yp in relevant policy development
- Training programmes, peer-led initiatives & citizenship modules in curriculum
- Equal access by all c&yp to information on issues affecting them - (eg via internet, mobile phones etc)
- Involve young people in preparing user-friendly targeted information
- Engage c&yp in research, information, evaluation & dissemination processes
- Promote participation initiatives in voluntary/community/private sectors
- Live/ work/ travel/ play in a safe, clean, bright & sustainable environment (Built & Natural Environment)
- Benefit from the support of family & community
- Have the opportunity to enjoy growing towards/maximizing their individual potential (Achievement, Learning & Enjoyment)
- Have a quality of life which is enhanced by services which draw on research & information that upholds & protects their rights. (Research & Information)
- Enjoy the highest level of physical, mental & emotional well-being
- c&yp have the opportunity to be involved in creating/sharing a safer/cleaner, brighter & more sustainable environment,
- All families can access timely, effective & appropriate support & that the role of communities in support families is recognised, promoted & developed
- A culture & environment where all c&yp are valued & supported in individual development through equal access to education, play, cultural, artistic, recreational & leisure activities to enable them to lead full & active lives.
- Research, information & evaluation is disseminated & used to make a positive contribution to lives of c&yp
- Research, information & evaluation is co-ordinated/ developed to better understand the lives of c&yp
- Children & Young People are supported, enabled & empowered to make informed choices/decisions in relation to physical/mental & emotional well being.
- Baseline study to cover safety, environment issues, design, waste, play & leisure facilities etc in deprived ‘Neighbourhood Renewal areas’.
- A Road Safety Strategy. Education, in particular for those with additional needs
- Promoting health/personal benefits of Safer Routes to School Initiative
- Environmental education enhanced in schools/youth programmes
- High quality housing/ promoting action to remedy unfitness
- Promote opportunities to improve lives of c&yp in rural areas
- Government policy for Architecture & Built Environment in NI must take account of c&yp’s needs.
- Raising awareness of family support provision
- Family support strategy
- Information to employers promoting family friendly work arrangements
- quality affordable childcare, aftercare & playcare
- Review of Children First
- Establishment/implementation of Sector Skills Council for Children & Young People, leading to a strategy for common skills/competencies with accredited training
- Evaluation of good practice relating to c&yp’s centres, & recommendations
- Continued implementation & expansion of the Community Sport Programme
- Implementation of Costello Report
- Policy review of Pre-school education
- Consideration of Review of compulsory school age
- improvement in quality of school estate
- Play/recreation strategy
- exploration of using schools as multi-agency centres out-of-hours
- seeking new resources for youth provision
- provision of careers education/guidance support
- Continuation of Creative Youth Partnerships Programme & ‘Unlocking Creativity
- Research & information strategy
- Age appropriate information programme to direct c&yp to appropriate H&SS
- Development of age appropriate education programme for building/maintaining healthy relationships/ self-confidence
- Review of anti-bullying strategy
- Teenage pregnancy strategy & drugs strategy
- Inclusion of measures to tackle obesity of c&yp in Regional Strategy for Health & Social Services
- Inclusion of measures to tackle youth suicide in Mental Health Strategy & increase service provision for c&yp
- Publication of analysis of responses to physical punishment consultation
- improving health/wellbeing of c&yp in rural areas, & alleviating stress.
- Health & Safety Strategy/Good practice guidelines for work experience/work
- Audit into law/policy on work for school-age c&yp, & development of standards of training/support/remuneration
- Implementation of Protection of Children & Vulnerable Adults (NI)Order 2003 & safeguarding procedures in Children (NI) Order 1995.
- Implementation of Child Protection Vetting Review Recommendations
- Evaluation of extent/impact of domestic violence on c&yp
- Guidelines for media regarding advertising directed at c&yp
- Raising awareness within media of its responsibilities in presenting information to c&yp
- Improving safety of c&yp living on farms
- Inspection into Child Protection arrangements within DHSSPS
- Implementation of Criminal Justice Review recommendations
- Purpose-build juvenile justice centre
- Simplification/raising awareness of routes to financial support
- Provision of training, education & awareness of dimensions of poverty in schools, communities, government & voluntary/community sector
- Anti Poverty Forum will consider child poverty issues, as proposed in ‘New TSN - the way forward towards an anti-poverty strategy.’
- Targeting of education/training to people at risk/experiencing poverty
- Assessing quality of accommodation (eg owner occupied, social & traveller sites )& targeting needs of homeless young people)
- Addressing barriers to services
- Addressing needs of c&yp in poverty when promoting neighbourhood & youth services/community development.
PARTICIPATION
Strategic Outcome -All c&yp in NI, according to age/maturity, will have the opportunity to participate effectively and meaningfully as full, active & valued citizens in decisions affecting their lives.
Strategic Objectives - (UNCRC Articles 2,3 & 12 )
PROVISION
Strategic Outcomes
All c&yp in N.I will:
Strategic Objectives -(UNCRC Articles 2,3 6,12,13,23,28 29, 30 & 31)
To ensure:
Draft Actions
PROTECTION
Strategic Outcome - All c&yp in NI will be protected to enable them to enjoy their childhood/adolescence free from abuse/exploitation.
Strategic Objectives -(UNCRC Articles 2,3,6,19,20,32-40)
To ensure c&yp are protected from all forms of abuse & exploitation.
Draft Actions
POVERTY
Strategic Outcome - Levels of child poverty in N.I are reduced in line with the overall target to eradicate child poverty by 2020.
Strategic Objective -(UNCRC Articles 2,3,12,24-29)
Child & family poverty will be measured/addressed strategically across government in a way that reflects the experiences of those affected by it.
Draft Actions
7: Delivery & Monitoring: A Child Centred Whole System Approach
The Northern Ireland Office(specifically John Spellar MP) has responsibility for the full strategy, whilst government departments will nominate senior officers to oversee the implementation & sit on an Inter-departmental group (IDG). Departments will contribute to a Children & Young People’s Action Plan, setting out timetables and plans for partnership working. The Children & Young People’s Unit will produce a Biennal progress report on implementation. A Children & Young People’s Strategy Review Panel will meet twice annually and the Young People’s Advisory Forum’s role will continue. External monitoring will be the remit of the NI Commissioner for Children & Young People, the N. Ireland Human Rights Commission, the Equality Commission for NI, Chief Inspector of Criminal Justice and UN Committee on the Rights of the Child. The Strategy, when finalized will run from 2005-2015.
8. Assessments in Relation to Equality & Good Relations, New TSN, Human Rights & Rural Proofing
This section outlines the impact of the proposed strategy on the initiatives mentioned above. Available data & research is discussed. Reference is made to the issues of age, disability, people with/out dependents, marital status, Religious belief, political opinion, racial group, gender, sexual orientation, good relations, New TSN assessment, Human Rights Assessment and Rural Proofing.
The full consultation document is available for download on the Children & Young People’s Unit website (see link). Please direct responses or requests for printed copies of the consultation document (including a young people’s version) to:
Children and Young People’s Unit
Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister
Block B3
Castle Buildings, Stormont Estate
Belfast BT4 3SR
Tel: 028 9052 8429
Fax: 028 9052 8426
email: cypu@ofmdfmni.gov.uk
