The Children and Young People’s Strategy Workshops
The development of the next Northern Ireland Executive Strategy for Children and Young People is currently underway. This will be the overarching framework under which all services provided to children and young people in Northern Ireland and all issues impacting on their lives will sit. The Children’s Services Co-operation Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 is a significant legislative development which aims to improve the well-being of children and young people in a manner which realises their rights and places obligations on Departments / Agencies to co-operate with each other in order to contribute to the improvement of outcomes for children and young people. The Act places a statutory obligation on Government to adopt a Children and Young People’s Strategy.
NICCY believes that the Children and Young People’s Strategy is vitally important. We wish to facilitate a discussion with key stakeholders who work with and for children and young people to share views and opinions on the issues impacting on children’s lives in order to inform the development of the Strategy. We will, of course, be engaging with children and young people as part of this process, but initially we want to hear from you.
Workshops
NICCY held eight workshops over 2 days, covering the eight areas set out in The Children’s Services Co-operation Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 which define the well-being of children and young people.
You can view the plenary and workshop presentations here:
- Physical and Mental Health
- Enjoyment of Play and Leisure
- Learning and Achievement
- Living in Safety and with Stability
- Economic and Environmental Wellbeing
- Making a Positive Contribution to Society
- Living in a Society which Respects their Rights
- Equality and Good Relations
Representatives from OFMDFM’s Children and Young People’s Unit were present at the events and were keen to hear what participants thought the priorities for children and young people should be in developing the next Children and Young People’s Strategy. Participant’s views will also inform NICCY’s advice to Government on the Strategy.
NICCY believes that it is vital that the final Children’s Strategy improves outcomes for children and young people and we want to ensure that as many key stakeholders who work with and for children are given the opportunity to inform the development of the Strategy as possible.