Your rights as a young person in England

There are many laws and regulations governing the rights and entitlements of care-experienced young people. To put things simply, there are some straightforward and essential human rights you have, that you need to know:

  • You have the right to be treated equally and without discrimination, regardless of your race, gender identity, sexuality, the language you speak, your opinions, or your family background
  • You have the right for all adults, carers and organisations involved in your care to act in your best interests and to put your best interests first when making important decisions that affect your life
  • You have the right to be listened to, and to have a say about what you want and need in any of the processes of care that affect you
  • You have the right to an education, and you also have the right to relax and have fun in the way that you want to: by playing music, enjoying sports, watching a movie or whatever else you enjoy doing
  • You have the right to be helped to recover if you’ve been treated badly

We will always put your rights as a young person first. With Ivory Cottage, you’ll be fully involved in creating your own clear, easy to understand care plan.

If you think that you’re not getting what you’re entitled to or that your human rights as a young person aren’t being respected, Coram Voice can offer advice and advocate for you (support you and speak on your behalf), if you don’t feel confident about speaking up yourself.

Visit the Coram Voice Website

These rights are enshrined in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, and they are rights held by all children in the world, no matter where they happen to live.

Bullying and Discrimination

You have the right to feel safe, secure and respected, and bullying of any kind isn’t tolerable and isn’t tolerated at Ivory Cottage. You won’t always get along with everyone you meet in life, but we all deserve to be treated with respect and courtesy regardless.

  • Being teased, made fun of, or being called names.
  • Being hit, pushed or kicked, or being threatened with violence.
  • Being singled out because of who you are or how people see you.
  • Receiving abusive messages or comments online.
  • Having belongings taken from you or damaged on purpose.
  • Being made to do things you don’t want to do.

If you feel like any of these things are happening to you or someone you know, it’s important to remember that not only is it not your fault, but also that you don’t have to deal with it alone. There’s no single or simple solution for everyone who feels they’re being bullied, but our staff at Ivory Cottage are trained to listen and will respect your privacy as they make sure that you and your peers are safe. Confidential help and advice on bullying is also available online or over the phone.

Child line has a dedicated Bullying Line, that you can call for free on 0800 441111. Their website has a comprehensive list of resources that can help you understand bullying and bounce back after the experience of being bullied.

Staying Safe Online

While the internet and social media have transformed the way that young people interact with each other and the world, it can be a confusing and sometimes dangerous space. Young people online are exposed to serious risks of harm, from identity theft and fraud, to cyber-bullying and exploitation. 
At Ivory Cottage, we’re committed to helping you stay safe online and our staff will be there to support you to use the internet and social media responsibly—and to help when things go wrong. We’ve listed some resources below that can help you to understand more about staying safe online.
Think U Know provides advice for young people to help them use the internet responsibly and report abuse.
The Internet Watch Foundation promotes the safe and responsible use of technology for children and young people. They have a range of quizzes, games and articles to help you spot hidden advertising and sponsored posts, and to make the most of your privacy settings on social media. The Internet Watch Foundation has a site for children and a site for young adults.

Visit the Think U Know website  Visit the Internet Watch Foundation Website

You have the right to know how your information (e.g. your photos or details about your life) is being used, and to make informed and conscious choices about what you share about yourself online.