Policy


Include Youth is one of the lead agencies in advocating for policy developments for marginalised children and young people particularly those involved with the criminal justice system. Our policy activity is informed by both young people directly affected by the implementation of policy decisions and by professionals from all sectors across Northern Ireland who work directly with these children and young people. We use their collective experiences to inform policy positions which are well-researched and underpinned by children's rights principles.

Achieving a shift in the focus of government policy or changing legislation is something which seldom happens overnight. Include Youth's strength is its patience recognising the importance of working at the pace of government and other bodies. In this context it is important that Include Youth sustains the ability to inform, make relevant contributions and generate interest and debate amongst and with young people, practitioners, communities, political representatives the voluntary and community sector, the public and the media. We consider this to be a key function of the Policy Service within Include Youth.

Please use the search below to access and download Include Youth's policy responses.





  • Every School a Good School: A Strategy for Raising Achievement in Literacy and Numeracy

    This response outlines a number of recommendations based on consultations with young people from the Give & Take Scheme and Young Voices. It highlights the fact that children's experiences of school is very much determined by their family background and the area in which they live. The response also identifies clear links between social disadvantage and educational disadvantage and the challenges for teachers working in disadvantged schools. There is a challenge to all those working in the school system to make every effort to minimalise the effects of disadvantage onour more vulnerable young people. more »

  • Include Youth's Responses to Review of NI Policing Board's Community Engagement Strategy

    Include Youth is grateful to have the opportunity to comment on the review of the Community Engagement Strategy. Include Youth believes that the test for this strategy is not so much the framework which is appropriate but the actual commitment that the Board gives to this work. more »

  • Include Youth's Response to NICCY Priorities

    Include Youth appreciates the need for the Commissioner to prioritise the work that she needs to undertake. We were challenged by the task of trying to rank the priorities identified and believe that all children should be able to enjoy all of their rights as identified by the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. We are confident that NICCY will take cognisance in its Corporate Plan (2008-2011) of the recommendations of the UN Committee with regards to the UK government’s implementation of the convention particularly in relation to young people in the criminal justice system more »