The Child Friendly Unicef Programme

UNICEF UK’s Child Friendly Cities and Communities initiative is a global programme encouraging local services to commit to fulfilling children’s rights. The aim is to create a city or community where the voices, needs, priorities and the rights of children play an integral part in public policies and programmes, as well as being involved in the decision-making process.

A child friendly community is a community that is fit for all.

 

Our commitment 

The Redbridge Joint Partnership Plan for 2025 includes a commitment to work towards Redbridge becoming a UNICEF-accredited “Child Friendly Borough”.

The UNICEF Child Friendly Cities and Communities programme brings together UNICEF UK and local government to put children's rights at the heart of children's public services. With our partners we will look at practical ways to embed children’s rights within local services.

In a Child Friendly Community all children:

  • Have a say about decisions that affect them
  • Can express their views freely and are encouraged and supported to do that
  • Can access good health, education, transport and other services
  • Feel safe and protected from discrimination and harm
  • Can enjoy public spaces and meet other children freely

It is expected that by the end of this programme Children and Young People in Redbridge will:

  • Understand their rights
  • Have the skills and support to constructively challenge and campaign when their rights are being overlooked
  • Are aware of, and can access the support they need, when they need it
  • Are satisfied with the services that they experience
  • Feel they have the ability to influence and shape services which affect them

 

Age range of children involved

The UNICEF programme is based on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. This says that a child is anyone under the age of 18. However, for vulnerable young people, including those in care or that have special educational needs, the programme would cover young people up to the age of 25. 

In Redbridge we would like to include all children and young people aged 0 to 25.

 

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