This section relates to articles 5, 9, 10, 11, 18, 20, 21, 25 and 27 of the UNCRC and Section F of the Concluding Observations.
Family Environment
- As Government has recently reduced the money they give for child care and family support, they should find out how this has affected children’s rights.
- They should also make changes to the family support policy, to allow child care services to be available to all those who need it.
Children in Alternative Care than Families
Poverty should never be the only reason for removing a child from their parent’s care.
The Government should:
- Give parents and guardians the support they need to bring up a child properly.
- Properly investigate, so that any time a child is removed from their families, this is done in their best interests. Removal should only ever be used as a last resort.
- If possible find a place for the child to stay which will allow them to keep in touch with parents and siblings.
Make sure that moving a child to secure accommodation is used only as a last resort, and is for the shortest possible period of time. Find out why some children face repeated or lengthy stays, and develop alternatives to secure accommodation. - All efforts should be made to provide a stable environment for children in care, such as keeping the same social workers and avoiding unnecessary changes in placement.
- Talk with children from an early stage on the plans for their care, and provide proper support for children leaving care, including having a place to live, finding a job and further education.
What is Secure Accommodation?
This is a home where young people can be placed if they are a risk to themselves or others. They are not free to leave when they want.
If your Parents Have to go to Prison
- If your parents go to prison, child protection organisations should be told, so that you are properly looked after.
- If parents are to be sentenced for a crime, the authorities should take into account the best interests of their children, to try to avoid families being separated.