A NEW law giving protection and a voice to young people in Jersey, following criticisms made by the Independent Care Inquiry, is due to come into force in March.
The commencement act for the Children and Young People’s Law – described as “the next major step in the crucial mission to ensure that all children and young people in Jersey will grow up safely, learn and achieve, live healthy lives, and be listened to” – will be debated on 27 February and, if approved, brings the law into force seven days later.
Under the legislation, government and service providers will have to demonstrate how they are safeguarding children and young people, for the first time setting out who is responsible for assuring the wellbeing of all children, according to Children’s and Education Minister Deputy Inna Gardiner.
“We already have individual laws which set out the commitment for specific areas – for example, in Education and in Children’s Social Care. What we have never had enshrined in law is how different organisations will work together to protect children and young people, or the agreed standards and approach to make this happen.
“We are all aware that this work has, in part, been a response to the Independent Jersey Care Inquiry, which showed us what happens to children and young people when they are not protected from harm and not listened to.
“I am confident that we have heard and gripped the key lessons from the inquiry, and are now able to look forward, and strengthen our work together,” Deputy Gardiner said.
Under the law a range of individuals and organisations – including the Chief Minister, Children’s and Education, Health, Home Affairs and Housing ministers, corporate parents, safeguarding partners and service providers – will be given key roles in safeguarding young people and responsibility for demonstrating how that is being achieved.
The law is accompanied by new statutory guidance published on Friday 12 January, and by a programme of joint work that will drive the next stage of efforts to support the Island’s children and young people, responding to some of the systemic issues pinpointed by the Independent Jersey Care Inquiry.
Alongside the proposition for enactment, Deputy Gardiner has published safeguarding arrangements for children and young people which set out how safeguarding partners – including government departments and the States of Jersey Police – will work together.
Under the law, the Minister for Children and Education must develop a four-year strategic plan focused on improved children and young people’s outcomes. The Minister will report back to the States Assembly on the success and progress of the plan.
The government said that it had developed and updated training to help those involved prepare for the law.
