Torbay takes step towards child friendly status

Torbay has taken another step towards its 'child friendly' aspirations.

Children and young people, school representatives and partners from across the public, private, voluntary and community sectors joined forces with Torbay Council at a special event as part of Torbay’s work with the UK Committee for UNICEF towards becoming a child friendly community.

The Discovery Day event saw children and young people from across the Bay coming together to learn about their human rights, as set out in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. Professionals from the council, schools, health and voluntary and community providers attended including the leader of the council and other councillors. Children and young people attended from Shiphay Learning Academy, Oldway Primary School, Mayfield College and some who were educated at home.

The day was an opportunity for children and young people to share their experiences of living in Torbay with adults working with children and families and share their ideas for making Torbay more child friendly.

Torbay is in the ‘Discovery’ phase of its three-to-five year journey to become recognised as a UNICEF child friendly community. 

The aim is to make Torbay a place where all children have a meaningful say in, and truly benefit from, the decisions, services and spaces that shape their lives. An important part of the day was the opportunity children and young people had to vote on their top priorities for the rest of the programme. Progress will then be measured against these priorities (called ‘badges’ on the programme).

The event was held at the Riviera International Conference Centre in Torquay and was hosted by Anne-Marie Bond, council chief executive, and council leader David Thomas.

Cllr Thomas said: “We are delighted to be able to join forces with local children and young people and partners from a range of organisations across Torbay to work with UNICEF UK towards becoming a child friendly community.

“This Discovery Day was really just the start of our journey, this is a process that will take up to five years, and we are very excited to be choosing the ‘Badges’ that Torbay will be focusing on going forward.”

Sarah Handley from UNICEF UK said: “When local decisions are made and services like health, education and policing are delivered in line with a child rights-based approach, whole cities and communities benefit. 

“Torbay has made a commitment to upholding the rights of every child and their Discovery Day was an important part of making sure that children and young people’s voices are at the heart of making that commitment a reality for all.”

Cllr Cordelia Law, chair of Torbay’s children’s overview and scrutiny board, who also attended the event, said: “The Discovery Day was a fantastic event, and sharing a table with three wonderful young people from Oldway Primary School, confirmed my commitment to a child rights based approach to our young people in Torbay. Our children are 23 per cent of our population but 100 per cent of our future.

“I look forward to finding out which badges our young people choose.”