UK (University of Chichester) Pledge to support diverse voices of UK’s young people made by childhood professionals

A PLEDGE to do more to support the diverse voices of children and young people across the UK has been made by childhood professionals, academics and students.  

More than 60 attendees joined at a conference, hosted by the University of Chichester, to discuss how to ensure children’s voices are heard.

The event aimed to close the gap between services working in bereavement, self-regulation, sleep dreams, sport, consent and competency. It was opened by keynote speaker and celebrated academic and professional Dr Angela Scollan, from Middlesex university, who presented her research in children’s agency and self-determination.

The event was a collaboration between the childhood and sociology teams at the University of Chichester and partner Brockenhurst College. Dr Sandra Lyndon, a Reader in Childhood and Social Policy from the University, said it successfully brought together practitioners from various areas to discuss how best to support children whose voices sometimes go unheard.

She added: “This was the first event of its kind and delegates enjoyed speakers from a range of disciplines and being part of a community that values children’s voices. Dr Scollan’s keynote was warmly received and set the tone for what was an exciting and inspiring day.”

Students from the University of Chichester’s departments of Childhood, Sociology, Social Work, Education and Counselling also participated to give them first-hand experience of hearing from professionals and academics within the field. The department of Childhood itself was recently ranked in the UK’s top 10 by the 2022 Complete University Guide national rankings.

Other guest speakers joined from Brockenhurst College, Open University, Plymouth Marjon University, and Chichester. The event was closed by Issy Lack, ambassador for those with Downs Syndrome, dancing to This is me from hit musical The Greatest Showman musical.