CYP Now - NCB Now: Comment - Children's rights need further exploration

Almost a year ago, the government published its consolidated third and fourth periodic report to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, in which Westminster and the devolved administrations in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales have outlined how each is progressing with the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).

Government officials are due to give evidence to the committee in the autumn. However, pre-sessional meetings take place later this month, in which the four Children's Commissioners and non-governmental organisations (NGO) from each of the nations have an opportunity to respond to the government's report as well as highlight their priority concerns. Additionally, a UN Committee rapporteur is visiting the UK in June and will appear at a parliamentary event in Westminster organised by the Children's Rights Alliance for England (CRAE).

NCB is one of the many NGOs that worked with CRAE to draft an alternative State of the UN Convention in England report. But it's the conceptual debate that remains unresolved. In our opinion, children's rights have had little influence to date on the development of Every Child Matters, the initial focus of which was on strategic-level structural change across children's services and workforce reform.

Register Now to Continue Reading

Thank you for visiting Children & Young People Now and making use of our archive of more than 60,000 expert features, topics hubs, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:

What's Included