What About Me? It’s My Life Too!

The Report of the Family Solutions Group, What About Me? A Child’s Right to Matter was launched in November 2023 with a reception at the House of Commons. Members of the UK Youth Parliament spoke strongly about wanting to have their views heard and taken into account when arrangements are made for them. The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child 1989 recognises the child’s right to be heard and the Brussels II Regulation (March 2005) upholds this right in European Member States. But recognition of the child’s right to be heard does not mean the child will be heard in practice. Court-appointed advisers do not always speak with the child and if they do, the child’s words may be disregarded. Children are rarely included in mediation because parents fear that including them would make the child more aware of the conflict and more anxious, while mediators may not feel confident or qualified to talk with children. Consequently, children continue to be left on the side-lines. Since 2017, new requirements in England and Wales and additional training for family mediators have resulted in more children and young people taking part in mediation. Children say this helps them to feel better and research studies show that talking with a qualified family mediator benefits children’s mental health. Children’s messages for their parents reduce conflict and encourage agreement. Young people show far more insight and understanding than adults generally expect.