Rights made accessible for all children in Wales
The children’s commissioner for Wales has launched a new resource to enable children of all ages and abilities to understand their rights. The Welsh Campaign News reporter Carys Thomas reports.
A new resource, launched by children’s commissioner for Wales, Sally Holland, at a Caerphilly county borough school in December, aims to enable all children in Wales to learn about and understand their rights.
The innovative new resource communicates children’s rights under the United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) using symbols and simplified text. It was launched by Holland via live video link at Trinity Fields School and Resource Centre.
Communication
Pupils from the Ystrad Mynach school’s council worked with communication specialist Jenny Evans, and Kath Mattingly, of the children’s commissioners office, to develop the new resource, which has been designed for use by educators, support workers and other professionals working with children and young people.
The new resource also aims to enhance children and young people’s understanding of their rights and how they can relate to their everyday lives. Ian Elliott MBE, head teacher of Trinity Fields School, said: “I am very proud of our school council and the work that they have undertaken with Sally Holland, the children’s commissioner for Wales. The new resources will help all pupils across Wales to access the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Child (UNCRC) in a more accessible format. I am sure that staff, parents and governors will want to join with me in congratulating our school council”.
Cllr Derek Havard, cabinet member for education and lifelong learning, said: “I am delighted that Sally Holland, Children’s Commissioner for Wales chose to work with Trinity Fields School. I hope that this new resource will communicate the rights of children and young people more effectively, through the use of symbols and simplified text.”
Carys Thomas
Campaign News
Photo: Children’s commissioner for Wales Sally Holland, with schoolchildren (Office of Children’s Commissioner for Wales)
