Dundee City Council Press Releases

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Shaping Their Future

Young people in Dundee are helping shape the services that are available to them from the city council's children's rights service.

A report to the council's social work and health committee on Monday (August 25) highlights the work of the service for the year 2007-08.

Committee convener Councillor Helen Wright said: "Dundee was the first local authority in Scotland to appoint a children's rights officer and only the second in the whole of the UK and the service has been helping children and young people in the city for almost two decades.

"The views of children and young people are being taken on board and helping development and delivery of the service.

"Dundee is one of the few places in the country where young people living in children's homes play an active part in the recruitment process for residential staff. They interview all candidates, meet up with the formal interviewing panel and share their views on each.

"This has been a very successful initiative that gives young people a meaningful opportunity to contribute to recruiting the very people they will rely on to care for them.

"The close links that have been established with the Scottish Commissioner for Children have also ensured that city youngsters have had the chance to contribute to the work of the commissioner's office.

"It is a very important part of the local authority, with the children's rights officer having a remit to champion the rights and responsibilities of children and young people who are or have been looked after by the council.

"The annual report shows that many young people are continuing to use the service and be provided with the expert support and advice they need."