Transcript Slide 1
An introduction to children’s rights Group activity agenda • • • • • • What are human rights? Why children’s rights? The UNCRC Children’s rights in Wales Children’s rights for Childcare workers Reflection and evaluation Core Principles of Human Rights • Universal • Inalienable • Indivisible • Accountable FREDA principles • • • • • Fairness and freedom Respect Equality Dignity Autonomy Why do children need separate rights? • Maturity • Voiceless and invisible • Possessions Wants, Needs and Rights • Want - a desire for something • Need - the state of requiring help, or of lacking basic necessities such as food • Right - a moral or legal entitlement to have or do something The 4 Components of a Right 1. The Rights Holder (a human being ) 2. The Object (the thing they have a right to) 3. The Obligated (people or institutions “duty bearers”) 4. The Justification (greater human dignity, societal development, a peaceful society) Body of Rights The UNCRC • 54 articles • 41 substantive articles • 3 domains 4 underpinning rights Article 2 - No discrimination Article 3 - Best interests of the child Article 6 - Right to life Article 12 - Right to be heard National Children and Young People’s Participation Standards 1. Information- which is easy for children and young people to understand 2. It’s Your Choice – enough information and time to make an informed choice 3. No Discrimination - every young person has the same chance to participate. 4. Respect- Your opinion will be taken seriously 5.You get something out of it- You will enjoy the experience 6. Feedback- You will find out what difference your opinion has made 7. Improving how we work- Adults will ask you how they can improve how they work for the future Implementing the right to education - an example Government Has an obligation to find & allocate resources, define policy, achieve progress against targets Education institutions Have an obligation to train teachers, organise resources, create a child friendly environment Teachers Have an obligation to teach well, to encourage parents, to support all children Parents Should support their children’s learning Children and Should respect other children in order to support young people their peers to exercise their rights The reporting process • Every 5 years • Reports to the UN: – UK Government (inc section by WAG) – NGO report – Young peoples report – Children’s Commisioners’ report (4 nations) • Concluding observations • WAG action plan • Monitoring group Coffee break UN Concluding Observations 2008 most relevant to childcare WAG/UK government must • There must be training on UNCRC for all adults working with children, including child care workers • Must ensure respect for children’s views in the family, school, communities and institutions • Make sure restraint is only used as a last resource to prevent harm to the child • Make sure physical punishment is clearly banned in schools and other institutions • Make sure adults working with children know their duty to report suspected domestic violence which affects children • Include the promotion and encouragement of breastfeeding in training for nursery staff Children’s Rights legislation & policy in Wales • 2004 Children Act – WAG adopted UNCRC as basis for all policy for children • Seven core aims – based on UNCRC • National Action Plan – Getting it Right 2009 - addressing 16 priorities for Wales • Children and Families (Wales) Measure - passed in 2010 • Rights of Children and Young Persons (Wales) Measure - Ministers will have to pay due regard to the UNCRC in all decisions they take Articles most relevant to childcare • • • • • • • Article 9 – right to stay in contact with both parents Article 12 – right to be heard Article 14 – right to practice your religion Article 19 – protection from abuse Article 24 – right to nutritious food Article 28 – right to education Article 29 – education should develop your personality • Article 30 – right to use the customs of your family • Article 31 – right to play Think of a child … Putting learning into practice Any final questions?