There are many ways the approach will be embedded throughout the Council. Here are some examples of work to date:
Cornwall Council Business Plan
Children’s Rights has been included in all areas of the Council’s Business Plan. There is a commitment to ‘embedding the rights of the child in everything we do’. One of the four priority areas within the Business Plan is to make Cornwall ‘a brilliant place to be a child and grow up’.
Cornwall Youth Council
Cornwall Youth Council was launched in April 2022. It is a group of 24 young people who want to make a difference in Cornwall. The Youth Council’s goal is to empower children and young people in Cornwall and advocate for their needs and views.
Find out more about Cornwall Youth Council
Or email Cornwall Youth Council at youthcouncil@cornwall.gov.uk.
The Annual Conversation
The Annual Conversation took place in 2021 and 2022, with plans in place for a third event in November 2023. This joint working event brings together children, young people and council leaders. It gives children and young people the opportunity to share ideas on the future of Cornwall.
Find out more about the Annual Conversation
Children’s Rights Team
Our Children’s Rights Team is in place to focus on this work, for example by:
- raising awareness of children’s rights in Cornwall
- providing information about children’s rights
- working with our teams and partner organisations to ensure that children’s rights are promoted and upheld
- encouraging children and young people to express their views and influence decisions. Providing opportunities, activities and support to enable their participation.
To contact the Children’s Right Team email childrensrights@cornwall.gov.uk.
Find out more about the Children’s Rights Team
Children’s Rights Working Group
Cornwall Council has set up a Children’s Rights Working Group. It is chaired by our Chief Executive, Kate Kennally. Its purpose is to plan and review how we are embedding a children’s rights approach across all areas of the Council’s work.
Rights Respecting Schools Award
We are running a pilot project with UNICEF and the Rights Respecting Schools Award (RRSA). The project is supporting a group of schools working towards the Award. The goal is to create a RRSA Cornwall Community of Practice. This group will then support other schools on their RRSA journey in the future.
Right On!
You may see the Right On! logo on leaflets, posters and social media posts. We are producing a range of resources to raise awareness of Children’s Rights. We are providing opportunities for children to express their views and opinions. These resources and activities use the Right On! logo.
Lundy Model National Community of Practice
Cornwall Council has joined the Lundy National Community of Practice. The group brings together professionals working in children’s and youth services. Members use the Lundy Model of Participation to improve their participation practice with children and young people. The Community shares good practice and learns from experiences in other areas.
The Model has four key concepts (space, voice, audience, influence).
