Your rights to be heard – New introductory guides for children and young people

Published by Paulina for Participation Works in Communities and also in Local Government

Many children do not know what rights they have. More than three quarters of 11 to 16 year olds who took part in an Ipsos MORI survey for the Office of the Childrens Commissioner in 2006 were unaware of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Participation Works has produced a series of introductory guides for children and young people living in England to help them understand their rights in different situations at school; when in contact with health services; when in contact with childrens services; and when in contact with the police and criminal courts.

Carolyne Willow, National co-ordinator of the Childrens Rights Alliance for England, said: We are delighted to have been able to produce these vital resources through Participation Works. People have to know about their rights to be able to exercise them. Weve already had a lot of great feedback and believe the guides will really help children and young people to use their rights with confidence. We hope adults, especially independent advocates and participation workers, will use them too!

For more information about Participation Works and to download copies of the guides, visit the Gateway at www.participationworks.org.uk. For hard copies call the enquiry service on 0845 603 6725 or email enquiries@participationworks.org.uk