Wales: Benevolent land of advocacy and children’s

rights?

Sean O’NeillPolicy Director CROA Conference 2010

National umbrella children's organisation in

Wales (est. 1992), bringing organisations and individuals together to:

• Make the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child a reality in Wales.

• Fight for sustainable quality services and fair shares for all children and young people.

• Ensure special attention and treatment for children in need.

• Give children and young people a voice.

Children in Wales have almost 200 members, including the major voluntary children’s agencies, professional associations, LHBs and local authorities, as well as many smaller community groups.

• Works in partnership with Children in Scotland, National Children's Bureau (England), Children in Northern Ireland and Eurochild (Europe).

Head Office: 25 Windsor Place, Cardiff CF10 3BZ Tel: 029 20 342434 Fax: 029 20 343134  North Wales Office: 24-26 Stryd Fawr, Caernarfon LL55 1RH Tel: 01286 677570 Fax: 01286 676095  

In Wales

The Welsh Assembly Government formally adopted the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child to provide a foundation of principal for all issues relating to children in a plenary debate on 14th January 2004.

7Core Aims (Rights to Action 2004)

Welsh Assembly Government’s Seven Core Aims

All Children and Young People…

•Have a flying start in life

•Have a comprehensive range of education and learning opportunities

•Enjoy the best possible health and are free from abuse, victimisation and exploitation

•Have access to play, leisure, sporting and cultural activities

•Are listened to, treated with respect and have their race and cultural identity recognised

•Have a safe home and community which supports physical and emotional wellbeing

•Are not disadvantaged by poverty

Structures to support Children’s Rights Funky Dragon - the Children and Young People’s Assembly

for Wales - is a peer-led organisation

Youth Councils and Forums School Councils Locally based projects Children’s Commissioner for Wales (1st in UK) Participation Consortium Participation workers Wales – website Children & Families Measure (law) 2009 Proposed Rights of Children and Young Persons

(Wales) Measure - current

How are we doing in implementing Children’s Rights?

• UNCRC adopted as guiding principles

• Advocacy for Children in Need on a statutory footing

• Participation structures (local and national)

• 5-year plan to address the UN Concluding Observations

But….

Issues in areas of

bullying, mental health services, child poverty rates, LAC outcomes still poor, awareness of UNCRC and children's rights amongst children low as well as non-devolved issues.

Recommendations on LAC from NGO alternative report / 2008 UN Concluding Observations

LA should provide a range of quality placements to meet needs of CYP

CYP in care are able to maintain secure and enjoyable placements

Improvements in frontline services in health esp. mental health, education and social services for LAC

All LAC in Wales to have access to independent advocacy and support in raising concerns

Increased accommodation options for care leavers including supported lodgings and ability to stay in foster placements

Advocacy in Wales since the Waterhouse Report ‘Lost in Care’ 2000

Cardiff University study (2005) – key messages

• Understanding of Advocacy

• Right to independent support

• Accessible and visible

• Complaints

• Part of the wider participation agenda

• Advocacy beyond social services

• Independent

“A pressing need for change seems hard to refute”

Welsh Assembly Government's New Model

• Open Access Advocacy – Universal

• Integrated Specialist Advocacy Services

• Quality and Consistency

• Participation of Children and Young People

Welsh Assembly Government’s Actions

• MEIC – National Advocacy and Helpline Advice Service

• Joint / Regional commissioning of integrated specialist advocacy services

• Training and nationally recognised Qualification

• Children’s Advocacy Unit

• National Independent Advocacy Board

• Effective use of the National Standards for Advocacy Services

• Commissioning arrangements

• Pressure on existing services

• Raising awareness and accessibility

• Joint working amongst advocacy providers

• Gaps and limitations in service provisions

• Impact of the Recession – unravelling?

Key Pressure Points

October 20th – time bomb

Cuts Cuts Cuts

WHAT THEN FOR CHILDREN’S RIGHTS AND ADVOCACY ?

Sean O’Neill

Sean.oneill@childreninwales.org.uk

Children in Wales

www.childreninwales.org.uk

Diolch am Gwrando – Thank you for Listening