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Coalition calls for election pledge

Improving the lives of the UK's most disadvantaged and discriminated against children should be an election priority, a coalition of children's charities told representatives of the three main political parties last week. Barnardo's, NCH, NSPCC, Save the Children, and The Children's Society met with Lord Filkin, parliamentary under secretary of state for children and families, Theresa May, shadow secretary of state for the family and Annette Brook, Liberal Democrat shadow minister for children, to launch their new manifesto for children, Room for Improvement.
Improving the lives of the UK's most disadvantaged and discriminated against children should be an election priority, a coalition of children's charities told representatives of the three main political parties last week.

Barnardo's, NCH, NSPCC, Save the Children, and The Children's Society met with Lord Filkin, parliamentary under secretary of state for children and families, Theresa May, shadow secretary of state for the family and Annette Brook, Liberal Democrat shadow minister for children, to launch their new manifesto for children, Room for Improvement.

Politicians were presented with the coalition's latest survey findings, which reveal that nine out of ten adults think vulnerable children should be a key focus in the run up to the next election. About 60 per cent of those questioned said that the Government could do more to support the UK's most vulnerable children.

The manifesto focuses on children living in poverty, refugee children, children in the youth justice system, looked after children and those in need of safeguarding from exploitation. It also outlines where children's rights are being breached, based on standards set by the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Speaking at the launch, Barnardo's chief executive Roger Singleton said, 'This manifesto is needed to improve children's lives. It has been drawn up after listening to families and finding out what it's like to be poor or to have to give up work if a child is disabled.'

Manifesto recommendations include ensuring that children in trouble with the law are treated as children in need of protection and support, giving refugee children the same rights to protection and support as other children in the UK and improving the life chances of looked-after children by raising their educational attainment and providing them with an independent advocate.

Visit www.nch.org.uk for more information.