Children and Young People
Children and Young People (lead Department – OFMdFM)
Northern Ireland’s 10 Year Strategy for Children and Young People, “Our Children and Young People – Our Pledge”, outlines challenges facing children and young people across a broad spectrum of issues and takes into account the role of parents and families. It also sets outcomes for progress in 6 areas that are aligned to the priorities set by the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child.
DEL’s involvement
The Careers Service is DEL’s primary engagement with children and young people, including those with a care background or with a disability. The Careers Adviser’s role is to build, maintain and sustain an effective guidance relationship, encouraging each client to achieve their full potential within education, training and employment.
Through the Careers Service DEL works with the Department of Education, the Education and Library Boards and schools, to support the transition of young people with disabilities or learning difficulties into further education, training or employment.
DEL’s Careers Service also works closely with the Health Trusts to ensure that young people with a background of being “in care” have access to the right advice about their future.
- Ten Year Strategy (pdf 935 kb)
- Convention on the Rights of the Child
- NI Report on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) Young people's summary (pdf 80 kb)
- Committee on the Rights of the Child
- Children and Young People Action Plan 2008 - 2013
- Children and Young Persons Bill (pdf 38 kb)
Related websites
Office of First Minister and Deputy First Minister
Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety
Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People (NICCY)
