A new group of 10- to 18-year-olds has been recruited to review a wide range of government proposals and policies with the civil servants responsible for developing them.
They will also meet with children's minister Baroness Delyth Morgan to talk about the work they've been doing. More than 200 applications were received from eight- to 18-year-olds from across England, providing strong and powerful proof that our young people are eager to create a better future for us all.
After careful consideration, the DCSF and NCB selected 25 successful applicants to form the third Children & Youth Board. During the summer, the members met for the first time in London. By the end of the weekend, the group had stormed through issues such as work/life balance and local services for children and families, and began tackling their first regional project.
Their regional work will see them collecting feedback from their peers on topics such as schools, families, health care, transport - and anything else that is key to ensuring children have the best start in life.
This year's members will be working hard to ensure that children and young people across England truly have a voice, and that the government will hear it.
Why they applied
- "To take on responsibility to make children's voices heard"
- "To take an interest and a role in how this country is run"
- "I want to be heard when I say education is the key to stopping crime and teenage pregnancy"
- "Politicians need to understand what it's like for me and my friends growing up"
- "A determination to improve the situation for children who are in vulnerable situations"
