University:
University College London
Course:
LAWS0028 | Human Rights Law
Academic year:

2024
Views:

73

Pages:

2
Author:

Namira A.

The Verbatim Formula Creative Practice Research with Care-experienced Young People: Listening and the Law CONTEXTUALISING  There are over 80 000 young people in care in the UK and rising (up to 100 000?)  A UK Parliamentary briefing paper produced in 2015 indicates that, in general, social service's first engagement with looked-after children' was as a result of abuse or neglect in 61% of cases (Zayed and Harker, 2015: 4).  In 2016, an Education Committee report found that almost half of children in care have a diagnosable mental health disorder (Education Committee, 2016: 3).  14% of care leavers entered Higher Education compared to 47% of that age demographic nationally (2023).  49% of young men who had had some contact with the criminal justice system and 25% of those who were homeless were found to have been in care at some point in their lives (National Audit Office, 2015: 4-6).  The systems used in the UK to assess and monitor children and young people are 'defensive' and risk averse, leaving young people feeling unloved and unfairly treated (Munro and Turnell, 2018). VOICE, LISTENING AND YOUNG PEOPLE'S RIGHTS  Since the adoption into UK law of the 1989 UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1992, 'corporate parents' are legally obliged to give due regard to children's wishes and feelings in matters affecting them.  Local authorities should ensure that arrangements are in place that promote a culture 'where looked-after children are listened to' (Promoting the Health and Well-being of Looked-after Children (2015): 7).  The 2014 Children and Families Act also emphasizes the importance of young people 'participating as fully as possible' (Children and Families Act, 2014: 18) in decisions that will affect their care.  For children, what makes the difference between good or bad care is the experience of 'being listened to' (Children's Commissioner, 2015). Verbatim Verbatim is our core practice. Adverb: verbatim; Adjective: verbatim In exactly the same words as were used originally.