Gypsy, Roma and Traveller young people

The Children's Society works to promote the welfare and rights of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller children and young people, to ensure that they are treated as children first and foremost and have access to culturally sensitive education and health services, and a secure, stable and appropriate place to live with their families.

Due to the shortage of sites, many children and families in traveller communities experience frequent evictions, disrupted education, poor access to healthcare and often hostility from some of their local community. Similarly, Roma children and young people experience disadvantages in their accommodation such as living in temporary, over-crowded and sub-standard housing.

Gypsy, Roma and Traveller children also face difficulties in education, with persistently low attendance and attainment levels, and high exclusion rates.

The Children’s Society believes that every child should have access to education to help them develop to the best of their potential. No child should be prevented from enjoying school or their culture because of the fear of bullying and discrimination.

We work to ensure that the voices of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller children and young people are heard by those making decisions that affect their lives. We do this by bringing their messages to government, parliamentarians and local agencies, and by facilitating their engagement in public debates.