Using the Law to Promote, Protect and Realise Children

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The Children's Law Centre
Using the Law to Promote, Protect and Realise
Childrens Rights
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The Children's Law Centre
The work of the Centre is informed by the
articles of the United Nations Convention on the
Rights of the Child with specific reference
toArticle 2 Non-DiscriminationArticle 3
Best Interests of the ChildArticle 12 The
Childs Opinion
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The Children's Law Centre
seeking to..

• Promote awareness among children of their rights
• Encourage the use of the law to promote
  childrens rights
• Increase public understanding of childrens
  rights
• Advocate for child friendly legislation
• Involve children in the development of the Centre
• Make a reality of childrens rights

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The Children's Law Centre
doing this through.....

• Education and training
• Advice and information on childrens legal rights
  
• Research on and monitoring of childrens rights
• Commenting on policy and legislation
• Strategic Casework Service
• Third Party Interventions
• Facilitating the voices of young people
• Involvement in inter agency work e.g. COAC , CAU,
  Mental Health Review, DHSS PS Steering Groups,
  NICCY, Anti Bullying Forum

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The Children's Law Centre
Education and training

• Training on the UNCRC, Human Rights Act /ECHR
• Direct work with young people
• Accredited courses
• Seminars
• Conferences/ Annual Lectures
• Website
• Do You Know Your Rights series of leaflets

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The Children's Law Centre
Human Rights Project - a partnership with Save
the Children

• Monitoring the Implementation of the UNCRC and
  other international Human Rights mechanisms
• Policy Commentary Draft Government Policy and
  Legislation
• Consultation with young people
• Submission of NGO Alternative Report to the UN
  Committee on the Rights of the Child

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The Children's Law Centre

• POLICY OFFICER
• Responding to consultations in relation to
  legislation and policy affecting children.
• Sharing information about policy responses.
• Examples of recent submissions

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The Children's Law Centre
Legal services

• Comprehensive information service on domestic and
  international laws relating to children and young
  people
• Policy commentary and submissions in relation to
  legislation affecting children and young people
• Strategic casework service in key areas in
  accordance with casework policy
• Four solicitors, advice manager, advice worker,
  SENDIST representative, legal secretary,
  volunteers.
• Referral service Accredited Solicitors and
  Education Panel

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The Children's Law Centre

• Casework policy and key casework areas
• Education Tribunals
• Judicial Review Applications
• Re M A Minor 2004 NICA
• L A Minor by T Mc M v Sandelford Special School
  and NEELB 2005
• An Application by Robert Mc Millen, Chairman of
  the Board of Governors of Ballyclare High School
  for Judicial Review2008 NIQB 21

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The Children's Law Centre

• Third Party Interventions
• Re Neills Application 2005 NIQB,66
• In the Matter of An Application for Judicial
  Review by the Commissioner for Children and Young
  People of Decisions Made by Peter Hain the
  Secretary of State and David Hanson the Minister
  of State 2007 NIQB 115
• In the Matter of An Application by E for Judicial
  Review2004 NIQB 35 2006 NICA,2008UKHL,66
• JR 21 ( 2008) CAMHS
• JR 1 ( 2009) - Taser case

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The Children's Law Centre

• Mental health legal adviser
• Information about the law relating to child and
  adolescent mental health
• Advice and representation for children and young
  people with mental health difficulties
• Policy work in relation to the implementation of
  the Bamford Review recommendations with regard to
  children
• Training.

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The Children's Law Centre

• SENDIST Representative
• Legal advice and information in relation to
  special educational needs
• Training
• Representation in certain cases at the Special
  Educational Needs Tribunal
• Special Educational Needs Forum

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The Children's Law Centre
Childrens Law Centre Help and Advice Line
for Kids and Young people
CHALKY

• FREE-PHONE [phone]
• FREE-POST chalky, Bel3837, Belfast, BT15 1BR
• E-MAIL chalky_at_childrenslawcentre.org

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The Children's Law Centre

• Information
• Website at www.childrenslawcentre.org
• Members section information pack and
  submissions
• Do You Know Your Rights?
• Suspensions and Exclusions, Family Law, Youth
  Justice, Care, Social Security, Employment,
  Discrimination Law, Policing, Human Rights, UNCRC

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The Children's Law Centre
youth_at_clc

• Are central to the development and work of the
  CLC
• Provide a forum through which young people can
  voice their opinions on issues that affect them
• Develop resources using a variety of media
• Campaign and lobby to make a reality of
  childrens rights