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Your
Rights |
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"The
Wellbeing of children requires political action at the highest
level. We are determined to take that action. We make a
solemn commitment to give high priority to the rights of children."
The
World Summit for Children in 1990
The
United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child has been signed by
197 countries including the UK.
Most
parents make sure that their children grow up with care and support.
Most schools do everything they can to make school a good experience.
1.
The right to LIFE and the best chance to develop fully.
(Article 6 of the UN Convention)
2. Standard of living
Every child has the right to a fair standard of living. Parents should
provide this. In cases where parents cannot provide an adequate standard
the Government must provide help.
(Article 27 of the UN Convention)
3. Education
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Children
have the right to a free education. Different kinds of education
should be available for those with special needs.
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Higher
education should be available or those with ability.
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Children
have the right to be educated without fear.
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Schools
should have a bullying policy and each pupil should be informed of
what to do if they find themselves being bullied.
(Article
28 of the UN Convention)
4. Health
Children have the right to be as healthy as possible. If they are ill
they must be given good health care to enable them to become well again.
(Article 24 of the UN Convention)
Children have the right to consent or refuse consent to dental, medical
or surgical treatment if they can prove they understand what will happen
as a result of their decision.
5. Environment
It is a child's RIGHT to live in a safe, healthy, unpolluted
environment. Children have the right to safe, nutritious food and water.
(Article 24 of the UN Convention)
6. Protection
The Government MUST protect children from:
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Doing
work which could be dangerous or which could harm their health.
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Doing
work which interferes with their education. (Article 32 of the UN
Convention)
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Children
must be protected from dangerous drugs. (Article 33 of the UN
Convention)
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Children
must be protected from being abducted or sold. (Article 35 of the UN
Convention)
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Children
must be protected from sexual abuse. (Article 34 of the UN
Convention)
7.
Separation
Children may be separated from parents/carers ONLY if it is in the
child's best interests. If children are separated from their families,
or the place they usually live, the child, their parents or anyone else
who is important to the child has the RIGHT to go to court and ask to
have their case heard.
If separated, for example in care (looked after), the child has the
RIGHT to keep in regular touch with their parents and siblings unless it
would be harmful to do so.
(Article 9 of the UN Convention)
The
Law
There
are laws to help protect children and to bring perpetrators to
justice. The most important law is The Children Action 1989
(England and Wales).
This
Act describes what should happen if a child tells about being abused, or
is in danger of suffering "significant harm".
In
law, the local authority has a duty to make enquiries about any
allegation of abuse.
This
means that a social worker may come to talk to the child and the
parents, and try to find out the facts, and decide whether the child is
in any danger of abuse or neglect.
Many
investigations go no further than this, but sometimes social workers
decide that they need to have child protection conference.
This information is
courtesy of Childline
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