The AYJ joins campaign to call on the next Government to be a champion of all children

The AYJ has joined over 100 organisations to support the #ChildrenAtTheTable campaign to make good childhoods a national priority

At the Alliance for Youth Justice, we want the next Government to be a champion of all children, including those affected by crime and the justice system. To make this happen, today we have joined with over 100 organisations to support the #ChildrenAtTheTable campaign. We know that asking for transformational change such as this takes a collective effort. That’s why we’ve joined together and are delighted to support the campaign.

Pippa Goodfellow, Chief Executive of the AYJ, said:

“Children impacted by crime and involved in the justice system are amongst the most marginalised in society – they are more likely to have multiple and complex needs such as childhood trauma, living in poverty and school exclusion. Racially minoritised children, care-experienced children and neurodivergent children are all vastly overrepresented in the youth justice system, where the significance of unaddressed needs is abundantly clear.

The pandemic and cost of living crisis have exacerbated a multiplicity of social problems and vulnerabilities, that represent many of the adverse issues that frequently contribute to children’s pathways into the justice system. Contact with the justice system itself stigmatises, labels and marginalises children, creating unique and additional barriers to them achieving their full potential and engaging with opportunities to have their voices heard on the issues that affect their lives.

It is crucial that the next Government prioritises all children, including those who are affected by crime and justice. We need a strong commitment to place children at the heart of the agenda, to bring about the transformational change that is needed to enable all children to flourish in the future.”

Visit here for more information about the campaign and petition to ask the next Prime Minister and Chancellor to be champions for children.