Call to let Birmingham young people help shape services

The idea to develop an engagement process for young people to express their views is one of a number of recommendations included in the Birmingham Commission for Children’s report, published today, on how to improve childhood health and education in England’s second city.

Other proposals include developing child-friendly public spaces, having an annual “children’s day” across the city, and working with local organisations to offer free access to cultural and sporting facilities and events.

The commission’s report - It Takes a City to Raise a Child – is the result of a four-month inquiry into childhood in Birmingham, which included hearing evidence from children and young people aged five to 19, as well as children’s professionals and civic leaders.

The five-strong independent commission led by former government adviser Janet Grauberg, found children and young people in Birmingham felt their views were not being properly listened to and that existing democratic structures were ineffective.

The report states: “Children and young people want to have a say in the issues that matter to them. They want their voices heard and acted upon. School councils were not always achieving this. The desire for a voice went wider than school however; it was also about wanting to influence decisions relating to their community, such as transport and work opportunities.”