Protecting children - Frightening breakdown in order

The United Nations Convention on the Right of the Child specifically stipulated that the views of children must be taken into account in matters affecting them. But legal proceedings are frequently taken with the children having no say at all.

More than three-quarters of the children involved in court proceedings effectively had no voice, because no adviser was appointed to represent them. A major report, commissioned by the Government, warned in 2004 that the “existing situation cannot continue”. But it has continued, because there has been no practical change in the procedures. This is clearly wrong.

It is an outrage that reports are drawn up on matters requiring attention and those reports are then ignored. This practice is a waste of resources and the ensuing indifference undermines the process of government and effective administration.