Pioneering children’s rights and wellbeing programme starts in Derry

A new partnership between the NI Commissioner for Children and Young People, Derry and Strabane District Council, and the Western Health and Social Care Trust (WHSCT) has been launched to raise awareness of children’s rights among Primary 1 pupils, their parents, and carers across communities in the Derry and Strabane District Council area.

This exciting new initiative, that will reach 66 primary schools and 1,700 children was launched today at St Patrick’s Primary School, Pennyburn.

The initial programme coincides with WHSCT School Nursing Service Primary 1 Health Assessments to help children learn about the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). The UNCRC is the most internationally ratified human rights treaty in the world, which sets out 42 promises made to children by government and was ratified by the UK government in 1991.

As part of this awareness‑raising programme, schools across the district will receive vibrant child‑friendly resources, in both English and Irish, including colourful rights‑themed activity books, crayons, and easy‑to‑understand information on the UNCRC, giving teachers and pupils fun, creative ways to explore children’s rights in the classroom.

In October, Derry and Strabane District Council became the first region on the island of Ireland, and only the second region in the UK, after Cardiff, to be awarded the prestigious UNICEF Child Friendly City and Community (CFCC) status.

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The CFCC programme is an important step in protecting the rights and best interests of children and young people in policy making and in ensuring that public money is spent in the most effective way placing children’s voices and needs at the centre of the decision-making process.

NI Commissioner for Children and Young People, Chris Quinn said: “This is an amazing initiative, and I am so excited to be working alongside Strabane District Council (DC&SDC), and the Western Health and Social Care Trust (WHSCT) in the delivery of my statutory duties.

“It’s really important that children and their parents and carers know about their rights, and that they know that my office and I are here to help when child rights are violated.

“Too many children are failed by systems that don’t meet their needs – and the single most impactful thing government can do is make laws stronger to protect our children. That’s why I’m calling for the UNCRC to be fully incorporated into domestic law.

Western Health and Social Care Director of Children and Families, Tom Cassidy said: “We are proud to support this important initiative which places children’s rights and wellbeing at the centre of their educational journey from the very beginning.

“Through our School Nursing Service and partnership working with NICCY and Derry City and Strabane District Council, we are helping to ensure that children and families not only understand their rights, but feel confident in accessing the support they need.

“Following Derry and Strabane’s recognition as a UNICEF Child Friendly City and Community, we remain fully committed to turning that recognition into meaningful, sustained action that makes a tangible difference in children’s everyday lives.

“Embedding the principles of the UNCRC in our everyday practice strengthens how we listen to children, respond to their needs, and work alongside families to give every child the best possible start in life. This programme represents a meaningful step forward in building healthier, more empowered communities across the Western Trust area.”

Mayor of Derry City & Strabane District Council, Cllr Ruairí McHugh said: “As a Council, we are immensely proud to support this pioneering programme which places children’s rights and wellbeing at the very heart of the community.

“Achieving UNICEF Child Friendly City and Community status was a landmark moment for the City and District, and this initiative demonstrates our continued commitment to turning that recognition into meaningful action.

“By introducing children to their rights from the very beginning of their educational journey, we are empowering them to have confidence in their voices and to actively shape the world around them.

“Working alongside the Commissioner for Children and Young People and Western Health and Social Care Trust, we are building stronger foundations for a fairer, more inclusive district where every child’s voice is heard.”

This programme is only the start for children as young as four-years-old to understand the impact of knowing what their rights are at the foundation stage of their education.

NICCY is grateful to work closely with DC&SDC and WHSCT to create a programme that is accessible for the children at a young age, and they hope to expand this project in the future based on demand and funding.  

PICTURED ABOVE: Primary 7 pupils at St. Patrick's Primary School, Derry pictured showing off their new badges at Wednesday's launch of the Pioneering Children's Rights and Wellbeing Programme across Derry and Strabane. Included at back are Tom Cassidy, Western Trust, Chris Quinn, Children's Commissioner, Clare Maguire, DCSDC, the Mayor, Ruairi McHugh and Mr. Ian Gallagher, Principal. PHOTO: Jim McCafferty Photography.