A plethora of reports released over the past few weeks have brought children's rights to the forefront of public debate. While it is important not to lose sight of the fact that most children in the UK enjoy a high quality of life, these reports remind us of the need continually to re-evaluate the interventions in place to serve and protect our children. Inclusion - placing vulnerable young people at the heart of the community and engaging them in the policy-making process on issues which affect them - will be the key to raising children's status.