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Record numbers join Cardiff's Children's Rights Campaign

A record number of schools have signed up to the Unicef Right's Respecting Schools Award (RRSA), showing their support to help Cardiff become one of the UK's first Child Friendly City's. 

The RRSA programme recognises a school which puts child rights into practice, creating a safe and inspiring place to learn, where children are respected, their talents are nurtured and they are able to thrive.

\\Homefolder1.cardiff.gov.uk\Home\EDUCATION\Coed Glas\rrsa1.jpgCoed Glas Primary School

Cardiff Council's Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Education, Employment and Skills, Cllr Sarah Merry said: "When we launched Cardiff's Child Friendly Strategy, we set an ambitious

target to have all 127 Cardiff schools active within the Unicef Rights Respecting Schools Programme. 

"Through a citywide model, the number of schools to achieve the award is now at 85 with over 100 teachers having received training from Unicef, a fantastic effort so far. I am delighted that we are on our way to ensure that every school has children's rights embedded in their daily school life and that they are at the heart of the wider school community.

"This gives children the best chance to lead happy, healthy lives and to be responsible active citizens who will go on to contribute to the rights respecting culture that we aim to accomplish."

Sarah Hooke, Professional Lead Advisory for Wales at Unicef UK said: "We are proud to be supporting schools across Cardiff to embed children's rights across all areas of school life. 

"On recent visits to schools, it is clear that a rights based approach is making a difference to children and practitioners and I look forward to supporting Cardiff's vision that every child in the city will go to a school where their rights are taught, promoted and respected."

 Cardiff Council launched its Child Friendly Strategy on Worlds Children's Day 20thNovember 2018. Five clear goals were set out to embed children's rights and attain Unicef Child Friendly City status;

 

  • Every child and young person is valued, respected and treated fairly.
  • Every child and young person has their voice, needs and priorities heard and taken into account.
  • All children and young people grow up in a safe and supportive home.
  • All children and young people access high quality education that promotes their rights and helps them develop their skills and talents to the full.
  • Children have good physical, mental and emotional health and know how to stay healthy.

Cllr Sarah Merry added: "Our strategyplaces the rights and voices of children and young people at the heart of Cardiff's policies, strategies and services; involving them in decision making and addressing the barriers which limit their life chances."

The Child Friendly City programme operates across a wide range of services and organisations, taking a child rights approach to developing a series of new services including Family Help and Support Services, Emotional Health and Wellbeing Services, youth provision for care experienced young people, additional play opportunities. It also promotes child rights training amongst local politicians, police, health workers and Council officers.