You and your rights

Everyone has human rights because they are human beings! Children and young people under 18 years have a special set of rights. These rights are the things that children need to grow and develop and to be happy and healthy.

The leaders of countries have made a promise to all children and young people that they will do everything in their power to help them with these rights. The promise they made is called the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

UN Convention on the Rights of the child

A full list of the 54 ‘rights’ outlined in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

This includes:

• the right to be safe
• the right to learn and develop
• the right to play and rest
• the right to be treated equally

What children and young people in York have said

Children and young people in York have told the York Youth Council that these are the top five rights that are important to them:

• the right to Non-Discrimination – the right to be treated equally
• the right to give your opinion and for adults to listen and take it seriously
• the right to be healthy – to have food and water, exercise and a healthy place to live
• the right to be safe and have a safe place to live
• the right to learn and develop your talents

How we are helping children and young people in York understand their rights

Organisations in the city of York are working to help children and young people understand their rights. We're working to make sure that you can experience your rights every day, everywhere. We want to help you find your power through your rights, to come together with other children and adults and make changes to things that might be going on in your life, at home, in your community or in your school or setting.

A new plan for children and young people

In York we're creating a new plan for children and people. We know that you are the best people to ask what it is like for children and what children need in York. Children and young people have amazing ideas of how to make things better – please tell us what you think and start using your rights to make changes where you live!

We have developed a participation toolkit that can be used by anyone who wants to help children and young people learn about their rights, share their voice and ideas and to make changes in the city.

Rights in your school or college

Watch Talking about being Rights Respecting at school - YouTube.

Tell your teachers! 

Find out more about how your school or educational setting can become rights respecting.

Help with your rights

Advocacy for children and young people in York.

Advocacy is all about supporting children and young people to express their views and wishes, and helping them understand their rights and entitlements.

Advocacy supports children and young people's right to be heard and have their views respected (Article 12, United Nations Conventions on the Rights of the Child).

Find out about statutory advocacy services for children and young people who live in York, are in the care of City of York Council, or who have left the care of City of York Council.

Read more about advocacy for young people in York.