Hear by Right Children’s Consultation Forum Launched

In March 2007 Balsall Heath Extended School Cluster launched their Hear by Right Children’s Committee. The committee, was made up of children from across the cluster primary schools: Tindal, Ladypool, Anderton, Heathmount, Clifton and Nelson Mandela, they developed an action plan for the cluster advising the adults what services they would like improved or what additional services the children would like to see in Balsall Heath.

Hear by Right is a way of children and young people ‘having a voice’ in their community and participating in decision making. Since the launch the children have undertaken to create displays for their schools to show their peers what the children’s committee is about and how they themselves can have a say. A group of 25 children went to London in July 2008 and was lucky enough to meet with the Children’s Commissioner and showed him the work they have been carrying out in Balsall Heath

In September 2007 they were awarded the Impetus Award for their work in relation to Children’s Rights.

To ensure that children and young people are being well represented in Balsall Heath it was decided to expand the committee to include children and young people who attend out of hour provision in the area. Over the last few months consultations have taken place with all of the school councils and with in play schemes, holiday provision and after school clubs to encourage children to vote for who they would like to represent them.

On Friday 1st May 2009 the new Hear by Right Children’s Consultation Forum was launched and those children elected by their peers attended. Twelve children came, and it is hoped that more will join over the next few months. They were able to decide what they wanted their forum to be about, discussed some of the issues they want to take back to their schools and settings and they had a lot of suggestions for a logo for the forum. This will be decided by the next meeting.

All of the children had an opportunity to take part and the children all said they had enjoyed the event and the chance to talk to each other.

If you would like to know more about the Hear by Right Children’s Forum, for Balsall Heath contact Rhonda on 464 6349.