Put Children and Young People First! NYAS Launches General Election Manifesto

With the announcement of a General Election on July 4^th 2024, NYAS (National Youth Advocacy Service) is proud to publish our Election Manifesto. Our manifesto outlines four key objectives that are critical to advancing children’s rights and we call on the next UK Government to demonstrate their commitment to building a future where every care-experienced child and young person can thrive.

NYAS Chief Executive Rita Waters and NYAS Cymru Chief Executive Sharon Lovell, in their joint foreword, emphasised, “For over 45 years, NYAS has stood side by side with care-experienced children and young people across England and Wales, supporting, safeguarding, and empowering them to thrive. Though we will always be on their side, there needs to be a monumental shift in how our society views and treats its children and young people. “

“We encourage every political party to demonstrate their commitment to these objectives, recognising that they form the very foundation upon which a safe, stable, and loving future for children and young people must be built.”

NYAS welcomes the election as an opportunity to collaborate with the next UK Government, making sure the voices of care-experienced children and young people are at the heart of government.

1. Protect and advance the rights of all children and young people.

It is crucial that upholding the rights and wellbeing of children and young people is not just understood as a guiding principle but is at the heart of every decision made by policy makers.  The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) outlines the rights that every child is entitled to, supporting, and protecting them to make sure they can reach their full potential.

NYAS are calling on the next UK Government to fully and directly incorporate the UNCRC into UK law to advance children’s rights. We urge the next Government to make sure no decision is made about children and young people without them.

2. Reform children’s social care to make sure every child is supported, safeguarded, and empowered.

The Independent Review of Children’s Social Care promised a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” to reform children’s social care in England. NYAS welcomed the Government’s response in ‘Stable Homes, Built on Love’, but we remain concerned that current proposals lack the urgency and ambition needed to deliver a truly transformative care experience for children and young people.

NYAS are calling on the next UK Government to commit to a long-term funding strategy to deliver a ‘once-in-a-generation’ reform of children’s social care. We urge the next Government to commit to funding that at least matches the £2.6 billion proposed by the Independent Review of Children’s Social Care.

3. Put children and young people at the heart of government, making sure their voices are heard and their interests represented.

As political priorities change and evolve, a commitment to listening to children and young people should never fall off the agenda. When making new policy, NYAS encourages all Ministers to ask themselves “Would this be good enough for my child?”

NYAS are calling on the next UK Government to appoint a Children’s Minister to put the views, wishes and feelings of children and young people at the heart of government. We also urge the next Government to protect the role of ‘Cross Governmental Lead for Care Leavers’ to ensure all government departments maintain a commitment to improving their lives.

4. Meaningfully engage with children and young people when important decisions are being made that affect their lives.

Article 12 of the UNCRC says that every child has the right to express their views, wishes and feelings in all matters affecting them, and to have their views considered and taken seriously. NYAS believes that all children and young people should be empowered to be active participants in shaping their own futures, and have the right tools to do so.

NYAS are calling on the next UK Government to commit to respecting and valuing the views, wishes and feelings of children bring to policy development.  We also urge the next Government to commit to consultation and coproduction with children and young people on any policy which directly impacts their lives.