Children’s rights and justice: Minimum age requirements in the EU

"The European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) has published a report that examines EU Member States’ approaches to age requirements and limits, highlighting how age limits can impact children’s rights. Key findings include: age thresholds for children to be heard vary across the EU; thresholds also vary according to whether they relate to family, criminal or asylum law or whether children are witnesses, victims or need to be taken care of; and procedural safeguards may not apply to all children to the age of 18 across Member States. The report also includes recommendations on how Member States can remove inconsistencies to better deliver child protection. Correspondingly, the FRA has also published a report examining the age assessment and fingerprinting of children in asylum procedures." - Source CASPAR weekly update 30-04-18

Link

"CRUMBLING FUTURES" The Children’s Society Seriously Awkward 2018

Why vulnerable 16 and 17 year olds need more support as they move into adulthood ...

 “As local authorities struggle to meet demand with reducing funding, our research highlights compelling reasons to be alarmed. We can’t wait while children fall between the cracks of childhood and adulthood. Vulnerable 16 and 17 year olds need more support now and that support must continue as they transition into adult life. Our findings provide important evidence to those responsible for reviewing, resourcing and defining the future of children’s services.” Matthew Reed Chief Executive, The Children’s Society

Link

"BREAKING NEWS: SAFEGUARDING AMENDMENT TO DATA PROTECTION BILL"

"The adoption of certain new amendments by the House of Commons this week is a hugely promising development for child protection and adult safeguarding professionals."

"The new amendment 85, adopted by the House of Commons Public Bill Committee on Tuesday 13 March, goes further in empowering organisations – in the course of their own activities and judgment – to process personal data for safeguarding purposes lawfully, without consent where appropriate. This will be welcome news for schools, charities and volunteer organisations, religious organisations and sports clubs and governing bodies alike."

Link

YOUNG PEOPLE'S PARTICIPATION IN DECISION MAKING IN SCOTLAND: ATTITUDES AND PERCEPTIONS

Children and Families Analysis February 2018

“Key findings The 2017 Young People in Scotland survey asked respondents a number of questions about their ability to make their views heard and acted on in decisions that affect their lives.”

“Fieldwork was conducted by Ipsos MORI Scotland and analysis and reporting was conducted by the Scottish Government, Children and Families Analytical Services”

LINK

“Parental mental health - How to help children living with parents with mental health problems”

“Living in a household where parents or carers have mental health problems doesn't mean a child will experience abuse or negative consequences. Most parents are able to give their children safe and loving care.

Many children whose parents or carers have mental health problems go on to achieve their full potential in life, particularly if their parents receive the right support at the right time (Hogg, 2013).

However, there is a risk that parental mental health problems can have a negative impact on children.”

Link

The Welsh Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) and Resilience Survey

“The Welsh Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) and Resilience Survey was undertaken to examine individual and community factors that may offer protection from the harmful impacts of ACEs on health, well-being and prosperity across the life course. Resilience is described as the ability to overcome serious hardships such as those presented by ACEs.

The survey measured access to various sources of resilience in both childhood (personal, relational and community resources; social and leisure activities; relationships with adults) and adulthood (current personal, relationship and community resources; social and leisure activities; expectations of support from services; perceived financial security; and community culture and traditions).”

link to document

CORC - Child Outcomes Research Consortium

Results from Headstart Annual Survey - Executive Summary

Implications and recommendations

1. High rates of mental health problems in this population highlight the importance of finding the best means to promote positive wellbeing, and to prevent and address mental health problems.

2. Tackling mental health problems may involve tackling social inequalities due to the consistent association between deprivation and mental health problems which was evident in the results of this survey.

3. It should not be assumed that young people from minority ethnic groups are at greater risk of mental health problems; this is not the case based on current evidence. In addition, those from different minority ethnic backgrounds should not be grouped together in analysis of the prevalence of mental health.

Link

Wellbeing Measurement Frameworks - Primary, Secondary, College
Link