The Children’s Commissioner has stated that more must be done to ensure that children feel safe and engaged within their communities after a report reviewed their experiences and aspirations.
The consultation, named The Big Ambition, ran between September 2023 and January 2024 and aimed to get insight from children as to how they are involved within their communities. Children’s Commissioner for England Rachel De Souza has stated that “compared to previous generations, today’s children are incredibly socially aware and politically engaged.” This has led to a call for more to be done to involve children, rather than leaving them out simply because they cannot yet vote.
Figures published in the report found that only 22% of children consulted believe they are listened to by the people who run the country. Decisions being made without them have local and global implications, whether it is a major policy decision for their future, or decisions being made on local parks.
One way that the commissioner is recommending this be done is by involving them when it comes to elections and manifestos, as they have a desire to make their voices heard when key decisions are being made across the country.
Writing in a blog post on the Children’s Commissioner’s website, De Souza said:
“Children in this country consistently amaze me with their insight and awareness. But without the proper structures in place to consult with them, when it comes to elections, manifestos, promises from their local MPs or councillors, their opinions are too easily ignored.
“They are talked about, rather than to.”
Following the consultation, responses were published by the commissioner, with these stating that children should be considered when manifestos are being put together, children shouldn’t need to pass their ideas to adults to make them happen, and that it is their future that is being decided for them.
With this in mind, a number of overarching outcomes have been set to ensure that every child feels safe, healthy, happy, learning, and engaged within their community. This will be done by ensuring that children feel empowered to speak on issues that they care about, whilst making sure that every child is heard.
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