Voice of the Child Manchester LFJB 11 th Sept 2015

“If you don’t ask us, how else are you going to know that your services for children and young people, are effective for children and young people?” FJYPB member

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NATIONAL CHARTER The National Charter aims to reinforce professional practice, and sets out the standards and expectations that children and young people should receive from family justice services. We are working with all family justice organisations to implement the Charter and to make these expectations a reality. You find the latest copy of the Charter at: justice-young-peoples-board

Cafcass Peer Reviews Court Reviews NACCC Inspections Child Inclusive Mediation Judicial Training

Manchester Court Review Following the audit of the Family Justice Young People’s Board earlier this year Manchester created an action plan which included improving waiting areas within courts. Another new initiative piloted was to set up open events for young people who have been or who are currently subject to Care Proceedings to visit the court to provide an opportunity to speak to a judge and to ask questions. This was intended to show how different a family court is to the way images are portrayed on the TV. This also showed how parents have their say when they are at court.

Voice of the Child Conference 2015 The FJYPB members have planned and delivered its 3 rd Voice of the Child Conference. This years VOTC theme was Effective Participation: Make it Happen – Make it Better. The aim of the conference is to promote the voice of the child in proceedings to an audience of 300 professionals from the Judiciary, Cafcass, social services and government departments. Anthony Douglas CE of Cafcass said, “its the best youth-led conference in the world”

The FJYPB has been honoured with the Diana Active Campaigner Award

Do you have a local child or young person as a representative on your Board? If not, why not? Have you made links with your local Child in Care Council? Do you insure children and young people in your area are involved in new procedures or policies? How do you ensure that a child or young person diversity is considered and respected? In your area is there a range of options available to children and young people to communicate with the judiciary? Do the organisations in your area get inspected by children and young people? If not, could they be? Do you involve children and young people in the recruitment of new practitioners. For your consideration the FJYPB have devised a few suggestions as to how your LFJB can be more child inclusive for you to consider.

SO WHAT’S NEXT FOR US To promote and develop child inclusive practice across agencies through training and development work, involvement with policy development, review of processes and the review and production of further information leaflets and other supporting material. 2. To advocate for and support pilots within family justice services which promote the voice of the child at each appropriate stage of proceedings. 3. To hold the Voice of the Child Conference To develop a link to children in care councils to facilitate the promotion of the voice of the child in family justice in Local Authorities. 5. To further embed the National Charter into practice.

The FJYPB are currently recruiting new members. Members are aged between 7-25 years and have experience of public / private law or a passion for children’s rights. If you know someone who you think should apply the please contact

CONTACTS Jennifer Lynch FJYPB Co-ordinator Claire Evans FJYPB Administrator