15 March 2019
Education Minister Senator Tracey Vallois will open the Jersey Youth Service annual conference on "The Rights of the Child" on Saturday.
More than 60 staff from Children, Young People, Education and Skills are attending the all-day conference at St James Centre, including young workers and volunteers.
Senator Vallois said: “The annual youth service conference has been in place for more than 40 years, which is remarkable and shows the strength of the service.
“This conference is the launch and start of the Youth Service becoming a Rights Respecting Youth Service.
“The island is making good progress putting children at the heart of what we do. Last week we saw the launch of the new Children and Young People’s plan. We are delivering on the Independent Care Inquiry recommendations. We have our new Children’s Commissioner and Children’s Rights Officer in post and the new Government Plan puts children and young people at the forefront of our developments.”
Senator Vallois also thanked the Jersey Youth Service staff for their work over 40 years.
“Jersey is lucky to have an excellent Youth Service that is working with 33% of our 12 to 18 year olds, as well as the work with younger children and the more focused areas of work with 18 year olds and above. On behalf of the Government of Jersey, I would like to thank the Jersey Youth Service for all they do for our children and young people. The days, evenings, weekends they work - whether it is in our schools, out on the streets or in our universal youth provision, it is very much appreciated,’ said Senator Vallois.
Children's Commissioner Deborah McMillan and participation officer Andrea Le Saint will hold an interactive workshop on United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) to raise awareness at the conference.
Mark Capern, Principal Youth Officer, added: “The Jersey Youth Service has held an annual conference for more than 40 years and each year we have a theme. Following the recommendations of the Independent Jersey Care Inquiry and with children and young people being a key priority for the Government Plan, it is timely for this year’s theme to focus on Children’s Rights. We have schools becoming Rights Respecting schools and we want to become a Rights Respecting Youth Service. This is a start for the service to develop children’s rights within the community and parishes we work and support and reinforce the learning through schools.”
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