Policy Area - Traveller and Gypsy young people
There are some 50,000 Traveller and Gypsy children in England (Office for Standards in Education estimate, 1996). Because of the shortage of sites many of them experience frequent evictions, disrupted education, poor access to health care and often hostility from some of their local community. This conflicts with a child's most basic rights that all children without discrimination should enjoy - to have a safe and secure home, to develop his or her personality, talents and mental and physical abilities to their fullest potential and to enjoy his or her own culture.
The Children's Society works with different groups of children from Traveller/ Gypsy communities, including Gypsy, Roma and Irish Travellers as well as New Age Travellers. Through its innovative projects The Children's Society works to ensure that Traveller and Gypsy children are treated as children first and foremost and have access to education, health and other services.
Parliamentary lobbying
Our Policy Team informs parliamentarians about our key concerns involving children and young people, lobbies on specific legislation and gives evidence to parliamentary committees.
