Results announced on NICCY consultation
ALMOST 1,700 individuals and organisations have told the
On the 26th May the Commissioner published online the results of the ambitious SHOUT consultation staged from October, 2004 to January this year as well as his Corporate Plan 2005-2008 and Business Plan for this year.
The plans were submitted to Ministers for approval in March, but were only approved recently due to delay caused by the general Election.
A key part of the SHOUT consultation was asking children, young people and all those interested to tell Mr Williams what they thought of his 14 draft priorities for the next three years.
“I was overwhelmed that so many people took the time and effort to respond to SHOUT, given it was not a controversial issue,” he said. “And they were clear that they agreed with most of our priorities.
“As a result of the consultation we have changed some of the ways we describe the priorities and have added a further priority, - risk taking behaviour among children and young people such as sexual activity, and abuse of drink and drugs. Young people in particular were anxious that NICCY should look at this important area”
The priorities are now:
• Having Your Say
• Knowing Your Rights
• Implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child
These three areas are the fundamental building blocks of NICCY’s work and will influence our actions in the remaining 12 priority areas:
• Special Educational Needs
• Bullying
• Road Safety & School Transport
• Facilities for play and leisure and the development of a Play strategy
• Children and Young People with mental health issues and suicidal tendencies
• Poverty
• Children and Young People with disabilities
• Children and young people and Risk-taking behaviour
• Safeguarding children and young people
• Physical Punishment
• Children, Young People and Crime
• Children, Young People and the troubles
“In each of these areas we are developing a programme of action spread over the period of our 3 year plan. This includes communications, participation, research and legal activity as well as our ongoing work to listen to and act on the complaints children and young people have about the services they receive and the way they are treated,” said Mr Williams. “In addition I will be advising Ministers of any policy changes that are necessary in each priority area”
“I am confident these priorities mean everyone in the NICCY team can work to make sure we are delivering on our goal to promote and safeguard the rights and best interests of children and young people in
For more info, check out www.niccy.org
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