Together Trust's joint submission to the Committee on the Rights of the Child

We are proud to be a member of Family for every Child, an international alliance of organisations that unite their skills and knowledge to achieve change for children and families worldwide. In the lead up to the Day of General Discussion, children, young people and experts from all over the world were invited to share their experience of alternative care or the child protection systems with the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child. 

With other members from Europe, we have put forward our priorities and concerns related to children and young people in alternative care in Europe whose rights are often gravely threatened. We identified common issues that are critical in supporting children with suggested recommendations highlighting their existing practice models. These are based on the wealth of knowledge and experience from years of working with the community and developing solutions for children’s care.

Europe has seen a major increase in the number of arrival of refugees and unaccompanied minors in recent years. It has raised several issues in relation to their well-being and safeguarding. Aspects of accommodation, guardianship, family reunification, school and university education, employment readiness and overall preparation for care leavers after 18 years need to be addressed urgently. Moreover, COVID-19 pandemic is having a huge additional impact as the children are grappling with the existing precarious circumstances of their lives. 

Family for Every Child, representing its membership of local civil society organisations, made a submission, and also contributed to joint submissions from New Zealand which you can also read below. Children's voices and opinions were captured throughout these reports,