An annual review was published of government action (relating to England) on the 2002 Concluding Observations of the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child. It criticized government policy on juvenile offenders and young asylum-seekers.
Source: State of Children s Rights in England, Children's Rights Alliance for England (020 7278 8222)
Links: Report | CRAE press release
Date: 2005-Nov
A study looked at the views and experiences of pre-teen children in relation to their participation in everyday decision-making in their own families. Decision-making processes in families were found to be complex, relying on a shared, intimate knowledge of precedent, mutual trust, and a common understanding of the family's unique 'culture' - thereby shedding light on some of the difficulties initially faced by step-families.
Source: Ian Butler, Margaret Robinson and Lesley Scanlan, Children and Decision Making, National Children?s Bureau (020 7843 6029) for Joseph Rowntree Foundation
Links: JRF Findings 0365
Date: 2005-Jul
Researchers examined children?s advocacy services in Wales, focusing upon services whose core function was providing independent children?s advocacy, funded mainly by local authorities and health.
Source: Andrew Pithouse et al., A Study of Advocacy Services for Children & Young People in Wales, Welsh Assembly Government (029 2082 5111)
Links: Report (pdf)
Date: 2005-Jul
A report described the "desperate needs" of children in penal custody and on release back into the community, based on the experiences of a legal centre to promote the legal and human rights of individual children in custody.
Source: Children in Custody: Promoting the legal and human rights of children, Howard League for Penal Reform (020 7249 7373)
Links: Summary
Date: 2005-Jun
A study reviewed government policy on children and the family in the context of international human rights commitments. Although international conventions required the government to recognise the rights and needs of children and parents, the needs of different family members were not identical and often competed. This was reflected in inconsistencies between different areas of existing family policy.
Source: Clem Henricson and Andrew Bainham, The Child and Family Policy Divide: Tensions, convergence and rights, York Publishing Services for Joseph Rowntree Foundation, available from York Publishing Services Ltd (01904 430033)
Links: Report (pdf) | JRF Findings 0255 | JRF press release | Guardian report
Date: 2005-May
A new book explored ways in which children could be involved as partners in the decision-making processes that affected them - in social work, education, healthcare and politics.
Source: Jan Mason and Toby Fattore (eds.), Children Taken Seriously: In theory, policy and practice, Jessica Kingsley Publishers (020 7833 2307)
Links: Summary
Date: 2005-Mar
A coalition of children's organizations launched a manifesto for children. It outlined the areas where children's rights were being breached, based on standards set by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Source: Room for Improvement: A manifesto for children, Children s Society (020 7841 4415) and others
Links: Manifesto (pdf) | Children's Society press release
Date: 2005-Feb