Rossie’s Rights Respecting School Journey

UNICEF, the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund, is the world’s leading organisation for children.

Their work is based upon the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. This is a document that ensures the countries signed up to it, of which the UK is one, recognise 43 child rights. The convention outlines that every child, regardless of who they are or where they live, grows up safe, healthy and happy.

In May 2019 we became officially recognised as a UNICEF UK ‘Silver: Rights Aware’ school. Click here to read our Silver Award report from our UNICEF assessor.

Rossie's young person tree with each child writing on a leave explaining how they feel supported at Rossie

Rossie has placed the values and principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child at the heart of our organisation and school ethos and our journey to Gold will involve embedding this and looking outwards

Through the curriculum our young people are increasingly more aware of their rights and how they can respect these. Over time young people will be able to make more informed decisions about their learning, health and well-being and become globally aware citizens.

Our young people can also choose to chair their own Team Around the Child meeting, this is an important meeting in which decisions and plans are put in place for the young person. In chairing this meeting, this is one of many ways in which Rossie ensures Article 12 (respect for the views of the child) becomes a reality “Article 12 (respect for the views of the child) Every child has the right to express their views, feelings and wishes in all matters affecting them, and to have their views considered and taken seriously”

The programme kicked off with 3 of our Rights Ambassadors delivering training to our CEO, Board of Governors, and Senior Leadership Team. This interactive session went down a storm, with games, quizzes and young people choosing to talk about a right they felt strongly about. Our sessions looked at what does Rossie do to help you realise your rights? And what can we do better?

Following on from extremely positive feedback from both the leadership team and the young people, young person led training on rights now forms an integral part of our Induction programme for new staff. All new staff will spend an afternoon with young people offering training, information and interactive tasks on children’s rights.

Children’s Rights are at the centre of everything we do here at Rossie, the importance for our care experience young people understanding their Rights makes up a fundamental part of our work. The adults around them having a full understanding of how we can make their rights a reality is essential. Our new training programme will ensure that the time our young people spend here at Rossie is one which empowers them and encourages adults to respect and support their rights.

Who we help

I view my time in Secure as a rebirth. I was given the chance to let go of all my responsibilities from home and focus on myself. To have been given the opportunity to learn how to live my life again is very much appreciated

– Young Person

Young people

We support our young people through all aspects of their stay, while giving them hope for the future. Find out more if you’re a young person looking for more information.

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Parents & Carers

We ensure parents and carers are involved in their child’s care plan as much as possible. Find out more if you’re a parent or carer looking for more information.

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Partners

We work with our partners to provide a bespoke service to each of our young people. Find out more about our partners.

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Rossie Young People’s Trust