The UK GDPR includes specific provisions recognising children’s rights and the risks they can face when their personal information is processed. Find out more in our training - GDPR & Children’s Rights: Protecting Privacy, Empowering Young People. Book: www.tickettailor.com/events/child...

Our GDPR and Children's Rights training covers the legal requirements, key data protection principles, lawful basis for processing personal data and the key steps everyone can take towards compliance. Book today at buff.ly/QzflHiL

In their final podcast, Youth@CLC have recorded a very special episode from Stormont, joined by Claire Sugden MLA, Gerry Carroll MLA, Sian Mulholland MLA, Colin McGrath MLA, Timothy Gaston MLA, Danny Baker MLA and Robbie Butler MLA. Find the episode at childrenslawcentre.org.uk/podcasts/

Drawing on CLC’s legal expertise, our SEND Legal Rights training simplifies the framework protecting vulnerable learners. We will explore the statutory assessment process, enforceability of statements, and appeal rights, as well as much more. Book today at buff.ly/xwtI1fp

The failure to amend the Justice Bill and raise the age of criminal responsibility in NI is deeply disappointing and a real missed opportunity to protect some of our most disadvantaged children and young people. At just ten years old, we continue to have one of the lowest ages in the world.

While it's right to recognise the harm children face online, if the problem is social media platforms, then the solution must be to make those environments safe, not to exclude young people from them. Read our latest blog at buff.ly/27lLvyV

Our Head of Legal, Kathryn Stevenson, was delighted to attend the 2026 NICVA Summit, exploring the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of the community and voluntary sector.

A child's rights do not stop at a border. Every child, regardless of where they were born, has a right to grow up free from fear, discrimination and violence #RefugeeWeek2026

It is deeply disappointing that the Petition of Concern has been used to block amendments seeking to raise the age of criminal responsibility. This represents a misuse of a mechanism designed to protect minority rights. We urge MLAs who used the PoC to seriously reconsider.

The Children’s Law Centre has said that the announcement of a social media ban for under 16s risks increasing, not reducing, online harm. Read more at buff.ly/VkWlAZK

This Infant Mental Health Awareness Week, the Children's Law Centre is supporting the #StrongerFromTheStart campaign. Developing the social and emotional well-being of children in their earliest years is critical to helping them thrive later in life #IMHAW2026

Everyone has a right to live in a society free from fear, intimidation and the threat of violence. Many in our community, especially vulnerable children and young people, will be terrified and deeply concerned by the potential for further harm. The violent disorder must end.

We are recruiting for a Fundraising and Development Manager. As we continue to champion and protect the rights of children and young people, we are committed to strengthening our long-term sustainability and independence. For more information, please visit childrenslawcentre.org.uk/work-with-us...

Navigating the political landscape at Stormont can feel daunting, but it remains one of the most effective ways to drive change. Our latest training will provide you with knowledge and tools to make an impact on decision makers. Find our training calendar at www.tickettailor.com/events/child...

New: Fires, Forgiveness and the Future for Criminalised Children. Rev Chris Bennett on realising that children deserve second chances, not criminal records. Watch www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxAz... Read blogs.qub.ac.uk/qpol/minimum... Thanks to @childrensrightsqub.bsky.social for collaborating.

Rev Chris Bennet - Three Wee Lads

YouTube video by Children's Law Centre

youtube.com

Some pictures from our joint FOI Awareness Session last week alongside the ICO and PILS. The focus was on using FOI as a tool to support strategic litigation. Speakers included Kathryn Stevenson and Eamonn McNally (CLC), alongside Simon Beattie and Aaron Johnson of the ICO Policy Team.

SEND transformation is supposed to strengthen children's access to special educational provision. It should not, in any way, undermine their legal rights. We have raised a number of concerns with the current direction of travel. Decision makers must pause, or risk repeating the mistakes of the past

Our CEO John O'Doherty, alongside Rachel Hogan BL, our SEND Specialist Legal Adviser and Kathryn Stevenson, our Head of Legal at Parliament Buildings after presenting to the education committee on the proposed SEN Regs. Read about our evidence session at childrenslawcentre.org.uk/childrens-la...

Our written response to the Education Committee outlines some of our main concerns around the proposed SEND Regulations, Code of Practice and the direction of travel for some important parts of the wider SEND transformation plans. You can find it at childrenslawcentre.org.uk?mdocs-file=8...

CLC will be presenting to the Education Committee today on proposed SEND Regulations. You can watch from around 2:15pm on NI Assembly TV livestream 2 - niassembly.tv/live-stream-2/

The PSNI did not refer a single child arrested during the Ballymena riots into the government mechanism used to identify victims of child criminal exploitation, despite concerns that young people were groomed or coerced into violence. @lukejbutterly.bsky.social reports

PSNI made no child exploitation referrals after Ballymena riots despite internal concerns

A third of those arrested in Ballymena and other towns last year were children

thedetail.tv

We’re proud to be one of 90+ signatures to a letter ahead of the Council of Europe meeting. The letter calls on the UK & Irish Governments to defend the ECHR, protect the independence of the European Court of Human Rights & reject any declaration that minimises rights for any individual or group.

We have been busy over the past month at CLC, working on behalf of children and young people. Here's some of the things you might have missed - from charity events to new staff arriving, as well as some fun at CLC HQ.

We have now announced our full annual training calendar for the year 2026/27. Take a look to find free webinars, expert-led sessions and CPD opportunities for anyone working with children and young people. Find the full calendar at buff.ly/xAtWOGR

We've signed this call - along with 60 other organisations - to raise the minimum age of criminal responsibility here. #TenIsTooYoung

Children's Law Centre@childlawcentre.bsky.social · 6mo ago

Ten is too young. That’s why we’ve joined 60 organisations in calling on the NI Assembly to raise the minimum age of criminal responsibility. You can add your support at www.tenistooyoung.com/support/ It’s time to raise the age #TenIsTooYoung

We've signed this call - along with 60 other orgs - to raise the minimum age of criminal responsibility here. #TenIsTooYoung

Children's Law Centre@childlawcentre.bsky.social · 6mo ago

Ten is too young. That’s why we’ve joined 60 organisations in calling on the NI Assembly to raise the minimum age of criminal responsibility. You can add your support at www.tenistooyoung.com/support/ It’s time to raise the age #TenIsTooYoung

Ten is too young. That’s why we’ve joined 60 organisations in calling on the NI Assembly to raise the minimum age of criminal responsibility. You can add your support at www.tenistooyoung.com/support/ It’s time to raise the age #TenIsTooYoung

The Children’s Law Centre has published an open letter, raising alarm around significant and potentially damaging changes to the system that provides support to children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Read more at childrenslawcentre.org.uk/send-reform-...

Big day for Youth@CLC today as they take their podcast Rights Unmuted on the road for a podcast on young people and decision making. We’re thrilled to be interviewing MLAs at Stormont. Search for Rights Unmuted wherever you get your podcasts and get ready for a bumper episode.

To celebrate the launch of our new annual training calendar, we're inviting you to join us for two free webinars on topical children's rights issues. Sign up today to secure your place, and don't forget to check out our full calendar of training - buff.ly/8dYF7Sx