Want to know how you can influence the decisions that shape your life?

Arthur Templeman-Lily at 17 years old is a children’s rights consultant from Wales, who works to ensure young people’s voices are heard in decisions that affect their lives. He tells Alma and Lucinda about his experience in children participating in shaping law and policy, and why Cardiff is a leader in children’s rights. Arthur explains how he became involved in children’s rights work and champion youth voices. We discuss:

· How he went about producing the children-led book, ‘Pause, Play, Fast Forward: The Journey of Children in Wales’

· how the book is being used in schools and youth settings

· why Wales became one of the first UK nations to criminalise smacking

· the reasons and importance of voting at 16 years old

· the age of criminal responsibility, comparing Wales with Scotland.

· advice for children who want to learn more about their rights or get involved.

When Arthur was 10, he really enjoyed history and loved writing fan fiction about the Lion King!

If you've got any questions, ideas about a topic or someone to interview, get in touch, we'd love to hear from you!! You can email us at kidslaw@spark21.org, contact us through the website: www.kidslaw.info or through social media: Facebook, X and Instagram @KidsLawInfo

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See you soon in the next episode!

Content Warning: This episode mentions domestic and sexual abuse, possession of weapons, and mental health difficulties in relation to behaviour that may lead to school exclusion.

Children as young as 10 can be held responsible for crimes – but they also have special rights under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. In this episode, Alma-Constance and Lucinda talk to Florence Cole, an education solicitor at Harrow Law Centre, about the laws around children’s education, why exclusions happen, and what can be done to protect young people.

Florence has many years' experience supporting children and families through exclusions, appeals, discrimination cases, and special educational needs issues. She explains:

· When parents can legally challenge a school or local authority decision

· Why exclusions can have devastating long-term effects

· How children’s backgrounds, trauma and unmet special needs can influence behaviour

· The “school-to-prison pipeline” and pupil referral units

· Practical tips for parents and carers facing exclusion hearings

· How the law (Equality Act 2010, Children & Families Act 2014, SEND Regulations) protects children with special educational needs

When Florence was 10, she loved spending time in nature and had an imaginary friend called Frieda.

References and Resources

• Harrow Law Centre
• Behaviour in schools: sanctions and exclusions
• Discriminatory exclusions
• School exclusion: a review on disproportionate exclusion of certain children
• School suspensions and permanent exclusions

If you've got any questions, ideas about a topic or someone to interview, get in touch, we'd love to hear from you!! You can email us at kidslaw@spark21.org, contact us through the website: www.kidslaw.info or through social media: Facebook, X and Instagram @KidsLawInfo

Please subscribe, rate, and share the podcast with your friends.
See you soon in the next episode!

We hear in the news about people fleeing their homes to become asylum seekers or refugees, why is this? Alma and Lucinda talk to Lance Bartholomeusz from the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) to find out:

· The difference between refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants

· Why so many people around the world are forced to leave their homes

· What protections and rights refugees have under international law

· The role of the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) around the world

· How refugee children are supported to go to school, stay safe, and build new lives

· The challenges people face when starting a new life in a different country

You’ll also hear real examples of the UNHCR’s work, from helping Palestinian families in neighbouring countries, to supporting Rohingya communities in Bangladesh, to protecting displaced people in Ukraine, and how Uganda supports Sudanese refugees in Africa.

When Lance was 10 he wanted to be a snake handler!

References and Resources

United Nations Refugee Agency

United Kingdom for UNHCR

Kate Blanchett on Statelessness

Patrick Eba UNHCR’s policy and legal expert ‘Why do refugees need protection?’

There are more stories at www.unhcr.org under news and stories. Here are the latest stories relating to children: News and stories | UNHCR

There were 8.4 million asylum-seekers awaiting decisions on their individual applications at the end of 2024, the highest number ever recorded, marking a 22 per cent increase from 6.9 million the previous year. See Global Trends | UNHCR

If you've got any questions, ideas about a topic or someone to interview, get in touch, we'd love to hear from you!! You can email us at kidslaw@spark21.org, contact us through the website: www.kidslaw.info or through social media: Facebook, X and Instagram @KidsLawInfo

Please subscribe, rate, and share the podcast with your friends.
See you soon in the next episode!