First Children’s Champion for Scottish Borders Council
Tuesday, February 26 2008
Scottish Borders Council has appointed its first Children’s Champion. Councillor Frances Renton took on the role last week following a decision by the Council.
Her role will include meeting groups of children and young people throughout the Borders to listen to their views and ideas and ensure that they are heard when it comes to local decision-making.
Councillor Renton will also work closely with other elected members at Council committees and other relevant forums to promote a better understanding of children and young people’s rights, needs and desires in relation to service planning.
The new Children’s Champion said: “I really want to listen to the views and concerns of children and young people across the Borders and guarantee that they influence the development of Council services. This in turn will enhance the life choices and opportunities for young people across the Borders.
“This is becoming increasingly important at a time when we are working to transform our services and provide better outcomes for local communities. We need to ensure that children and young people are involved in all those processes.”
One of Councillor Renton’s priorities will be to get to know the structures involving young people, such as school pupil councils and the Borders Youth Health Forum. She will have a particular role to play with children and young people who live in the care of the local authority.
“It will be a case of getting out and about, explaining my role to groups of children, young people and the organisations that work with them. This will enable us to develop the role in the most positive way,” she added.
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