Issues - Rights of Children

Children have rights. Disabled children have rights.
Often rights are enshrined in law, and the law to most of us is very complicated. However, there are enough organisations out there who can inform us of our rights such as the Children's Law Centre, the Law Centre, Children's Commissioner, Ombudsman, Citizen’s Advice Centre, and Resource Centres as well as a number of voluntary organisations.
There are a number of laws that help to protect children and the rest of us such as:

Disability Discrimination Act 1995

Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998

Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995

The Carers and Direct Payments Act 2002 (Northern Ireland)

United Nations Declaration of Human Rights.

There are others laws too, but these are the main ones.

What is beneficial to parents and carers, and those who work with them, is that the law can be used if the rights of children are infringed and/or if the absence of some service affects their rights.
As well as the range of legislation available, many organisations have in-house Complaints Procedures (see section) which can be used not only where there is a complaint but where an issue has to be raised, or where there is a concern. Also, in cases where it is believed a complaint has not been dealt with properly, and if all the proper channels have been followed with no satisfaction, then the Children's Commissioner or Ombudsman could be asked to take up the case if it is appropriate for that organisation.
Legislation does not have to be confusing when parents and carers work with those who have an expertise in these fields and issues.

Family Information Group is grateful to Derry City Council Community Services for supporting this project.