14 December 2022
Following requests from stakeholders Islanders now have until 13 January to respond to a
consultation on the guidance that accompanies the Children and Young People’s Law,
The Children and Young People’s Law was approved by the States Assembly in February 2022 and
introduces specific measures to promote the wellbeing of and safeguard children and young
people.
Within the Law, 13 articles require statutory guidance, which set out the processes that service
providers and organisations need to follow to meet the requirements of the Law.
The draft statutory guidance has been developed by practitioners who work with children,
including in youth justice, education, and children’s social care. Organisations – including childcare
providers and voluntary organisations – now have the chance to provide feedback on the guidance.
The consultation is not about the principles of the Law, but about the processes by which
organisations can meet their obligations under the law. The consultation is grouped into several
key areas:
• How organisations work together to promote the welfare of children and young people
• How organisations share information to safeguard children and young people
• The responsibilities of corporate parents
• Support for looked after children and care leavers
• Planning services for children and young people
• Reviews into child deaths
There are two versions of the consultation: one for adults, which is aimed at service providers,
although members of the public can reply. There is also a youth-friendly version of the survey,
which allows children and young people to share their views on several of the core themes.
Children under 11 will need to have permission from a parent or guardian to fill out the survey.
The consultation has already been shared with service providers, including childcare providers,
voluntary sector organisations, schools and colleges, government departments, and parishes.
Members of the public can also complete the consultation.
After 13 January, the statutory guidance will be finalised, and shared as a report with the States
Assembly. A full training programme will be available for service providers ahead of the law coming
into effect in 2023.
Minister for Children and Education, Deputy Inna Gardiner, said: “This statutory guidance outlines
what everyone providing services for children and young people needs to do to keep them safe
and well. Government is the biggest service provider on this Island, but there are hundreds of
organisations who work with children and young people, and we want to hear from them.
“We have already worked closely with providers in developing this guidance, and we will continue
to work with them as we rollout training and guidance on how they can meet the statutory
guidance.”
The consultation for service providers and the public is available online.
A youth-friendly version for children and young people is also available online.
gov.je