The UNICEF UK programme

About UNICEF and UNICEF UK

UNICEF works for every child in over 190 countries and is the only organisation mentioned by name in the UN Conventions on the Rights of the Child. Its vision is a world where the rights of every child is realised and works to achieve a world where all children, especially the most vulnerable and disadvantaged, have equal opportunities to survive and thrive.

The United Kingdom Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK) is a UK registered charity that raises funds for UNICEF’s emergency and development work around the world and advocates for lasting change for children worldwide. UNICEF UK also works with the hospitals where children are born, the schools where children learn and grow, and the services that shape their lives, to make sure that every child has the same chance to shine.

The Child Friendly Cities and Communities Programme

UNICEF UK's Child Friendly Cities and Communities programme works with councils to put children's rights into practice. The programme aims to create communities where all children, whether they are living in care, using a children's centre, or simply visiting their local library, have a meaningful say, and truly benefit from, the local decisions, services and spaces that shape their lives.

A Child Friendly Community is where children and young people:

  • Have their voices heard and listened to
  • Have their needs, priorities and rights understood as an integral part of public policies, programme and decisions
  • Are protected from exploitation, violence and abuse
  • Have a good start in life and grow up healthy and cared for
  • Have access to quality social services
  • Experience quality, inclusive and participatory education and skills development
  • Express their opinions and influence decisions that affect them
  • Participate in family, cultural, community/city and social life
  • Meet friends and have places to play and enjoy themselves
  • Have a fair chance in life regardless of their ethnic origin, religion, income, gender or ability
UNICEF

©UNICEF/Dawe

UNICEF

©UNICEF/Dawe

A child rights based approach

A child rights based approach is made of seven principles based on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and general human rights principles.

  • Dignity
  • Participation
  • Life, Survival and Development
  • Non-discrimination
  • Transparency
  • Best interests
  • Interdependence and Indivisibility

Lambeth's journey and potential timeline

Discovery (six months)

The council, community and children and young people come together to agree their priorities, known as 'badges'.

Development (two to three months)

An Action Plan is drafted and approved showing how the council will achieve progress in their selected 'badges'.

Delivery (two to four years)

The council works with the local community and childen and young people to carry out the Action Plan.

Recognition (lasts three years)

An independent panel of child rights experts assesses the progress made and decides whether to recognise the candidate city or community as 'UNICEF UK Child Friendly'.

UNICEF

©UNICEF/Dawe

What is a UNICEF UK Child Friendly City/Community?

It is a place where the local council and their partners have committed to advance children’s rights and have worked with UNICEF UK to put them into practice. It is a place that has demonstrated how more children feel safe, heard, cared for and are able to flourish as a result.

The programme badges/priorities

As part of the programme, Lambeth will need to choose a number of badges/priorities. The choice is outlined below. The yellow badges outlined below: culture, communication and cooperation and leadership are mandatory.

Culture

Culture Badge
  • People value and respect children and young people
  • People know about and respect children’s rights

Communication

Communication
  • Information about children's rights is shared with children, young people and adults in different ways
  • People know when important decisions affecting children, young people and families are being made

Co-operation & Leadership

Cooperation and Leadership
  • People work together to make Lambeth better for children and young people
  • Decisions are made involving children and young people

Through our six month discovery phase we will choose three further badges/priorities which reflect Lambeth’s priorities, from those listed below.

Safe & Secure

Safe & Secure
  • Feel safe in their homes, neighbourhood and across Lambeth

Place

Place
  • Can move freely in the city and their neighbourhood
  • Feel welcome in public spaces, such as parks, shops and on the high street
  • feel connected to their neighbourhood and city

Participating

Participating
  • can share their views and influence decisions that affect them
  • can come together to discuss issues that matter to them
  • can communicate their concerns and wishes to local leaders and other adults

Innovation

Innovation
  • The council finds new, different and creative ways to make sure all children in Lambeth enjoy their rights

Healthy

Healthy
  • Have good physical, mental and emotional health
  • Are supported if they have any additional needs
  • Know how to stay healthy

Flourishing

Flourishing
  • Can explore and spend time in parks, woodland and other natural places

Family & Belonging

Family & Belonging
  • Are supported to be together
  • Can get help if they are struggling

Equal & Included

Equal & Included
  • Feel welcome in Lambeth
  • Have the same opportunities to grow, learn, explore and have fun
  • Are protected from discrimination

Education & Learning

Education & Learning
  • Are able to learn about the world around them in a safe, welcoming and respectful place
  • (This includes children and young people who aren’t able to attend school)

Child Friendly Services

Child Friendly Services
  • Libraries, sports centres, parks, health clinics and other services respect, welcome and support children and young people