Convention on the Rights of the Child: Two-thirds of young people ‘have never heard of act’

The Children’s Society polled 2,400 10- to 17-year-olds on the topic as part of their annual household survey.

Just one in six (16 per cent) of those asked said they had heard about the UNCRC, while a further 68 per cent said they had not. The remaining 19 per cent did not indicate whether they knew of the convention.

Of those who had heard of the UNCRC, 81 per cent said they only knew “a bit” or “not much” about it.

Major milestones surrounding children’s rights in England since the CRC was signed include:

• Establishment of the first child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) (1998)
• Banning use of corporal punishment against children in private schools (1999)
• Appointment of the first Children’s Minister (2003) and the creation of the office of the Children’s Commissioner for England (2004)
• Ending immigration detention of children (2010).

The convention adopted by the UN in 1989 marked the first time that children all over the world were given their own set of binding human rights covering every area of their lives from their right to education and play, to their right to be free from violence and have their views and opinions taken seriously.

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The research – released to coincide with the 30th birthday of the UNCRC on Wednesday – has led to calls for the convention to be taught in schools during citizenship lessons.

Louise King, director of the Children’s Rights Alliance for England, part of Just for Kids Law, said: “We know from our work with children and young people that having opportunities to participate as equal partners in campaigns for their rights can help them feel empowered and become active agents for positive change.

"But to be able to participate, children need to know about the rights they are entitled to, and the international mechanisms for upholding these rights. Children’s rights education should be an indispensable part of a comprehensive citizenship curriculum in every school.”

Richard Crellin, policy manager from The Children’s Society, said: “It’s vital that every child knows what their rights are under the UN convention. They are there to help every child, to protect them, to make sure they have an education, to fulfill their potential, and the freedom to express their opinion and be listened to. These rights are crucial to support children’s wellbeing.  

“We celebrate this anniversary of the UNCRC and hope more children learn about and benefit from them in the next 30 years and beyond.”