Parliamentary lobbying
The work includes responding to Government proposals, giving evidence to parliamentary committees, lobbying on specific legislation, informing parliamentarians about our key concerns and involving children and young people.
Our aspirations for the parliamentary session 07/08 are set out in our briefing on the Queen Speech. Current lobbying activities focus on the Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill and Children and Young Persons Bill.
Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill
We are lobbying on the Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill alongside the other members of The Standing Committee for Youth Justice (SCYJ). We are seeking amendments that will put concern for children at the heart of the youth justice system by making child welfare the primary purpose of sentencing for children. We hope this Bill will create a youth justice system that is further distinct from that for adults and focuses on children's particular characteristics, needs and interests. SCYJs briefings on the Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill are available from this site>>
Children and Young Persons Bill
The Children’s Society is also lobbying on the Children and Young Persons Bill. The Bill intends to improve the experience children in care have at school and increase their educational attainment, improving the quality of care planning and ensuring that the child's own interests and wishes are taken into account. Whilst there are many positive promises in this Bill we were particularly disappointed that the Bill has missed the opportunity to introduce a statutory right to independent advocacy for all disabled children living away from home, and as the Bill goes through Parliament we are urging the Government to think again. The Children's Society briefing on the Children and Young Persons Bill is available from this site>>
