Local efforts can make society child-friendly
Anne Longfield
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
There is no simple answer to the question of how to create a child-friendly society.
While there have been many positive developments over the past decade, such as flexible working rights, free universal early years provision and new investment in playgrounds and youth centres, creating a culture where children and young people are valued and respected and where families are fully supported is more complex.
The recently reported findings of the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child (see p14) demonstrate there is still some way to go before we catch up with our European neighbours and have a system that fully supports the needs of all children and their parents.
One concern expressed in the UN report was around the demonisation of young people, so it is encouraging to see some local authorities taking bold steps to help reverse negative public perceptions and prejudice. Enfield Council has set up the Community Help Point Scheme, an initiative whereby local shopkeepers promote their premises as safe havens for children who may feel anxious or in distress when out and about in the borough. Shops, libraries and children's centres that are signed up for the scheme display the logo in their window to invite young people to approach their staff for support. All staff involved in the scheme receive training to help them deal with difficult and complex situations and are Criminal Records Bureau checked to promote confidence in the initiative.
At a national level, the NHS is attempting to foster a more breastfeeding-friendly society as part of its Breastfeeding Friendly Places initiative launched during National Breastfeeding Awareness Week. Held each May, the week provides mothers with information on the health benefits of breastfeeding and offers practical advice and support while helping to remove the social stigma around breastfeeding in public. Many shops, supermarkets and shopping centres have supported the initiative by displaying a sticker to identify their premises as breastfeeding friendly. The premises also commit to various criteria, including providing comfortable seating and access to drinking water where possible.
While UK children enjoy a quality of life their grandparents could only dream of, we still have some way to go to achieve the aspiration set out in The Children's Plan of making Britain the best place to grow up. Leadership from central and local government is vital in changing attitudes and carving out a positive space for children, young people and families - to achieve this we must keep up the pressure and stand up for children at every available opportunity.
- Anne Longfield is chief executive of 4Children. Email anne.longfield@haymarket.com.