A group of Cornish parents and carers have helped produce a new video raising awareness of children’s rights.
Filmed on a stage in the style of a social experiment, it aims to spark conversations between adults and children about rights and responsibilities.
The film was created by Cornwall Council’s Headstart Kernow team, alongside the Children’s Rights team and Lightbox Film Company.
All children have rights set out in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).
Public authorities, including Cornwall Council, are duty bearers of the UNCRC meaning they must do all they can to uphold children’s rights and make sure everyone knows about them.
Events, projects and initiatives such as the Annual Conversation, Cornwall Youth Council and the Right On! Survey for children and young people all tie into this pledge.
The new film sees a group of parents and carers being asked a series of ‘yes or no’ questions about their childhood experiences. Each relates to one of the children’s rights under UNCRC and is designed to spark conversation and get people thinking.
The video is also intended for professionals working in both children and adult services who can use it as a training tool to help spread awareness and promote a culture of respect and protection for the rights of all children.
Ness Little, HeadStart Kernow’s Digital Resilience, Parent, Carer & Family Lead, said:
“We hope the film can be a great way to start conversations with children and adults about rights and responsibilities. It can also help us consider how things might impact on children and what we might do as adults to help navigate that.
“By equipping all parents and carers with the knowledge and tools to advocate for children's rights, the film aims to create a safer, more supportive environment for every child.”
Kath Ennever, Children’s Rights Lead at Cornwall Council, added:
“We know that there are lots of challenges to children accessing their rights. Our aim is to empower more parents and caregivers to understand these rights, so they can better help and support their children to grow and thrive."
Parents and carers fed back that taking part in the film was thought-provoking and emotive. They felt it important for children to have a voice, live their lives free from harm, be listened to, protected, loved and free to express who they are and who they want to be.
One of the parents who took part in the video, James, said:
“I want to learn more about the rights for myself because I don’t know them all but I also want to check in with my oldest son to know how much he understands it.”
And another, Jo, added:
“Responding to the statements made me very reflective of my childhood. I was very reflective as a parent as well, wanting to make sure my children are happy and safe.”
You can view the video on our Children’s Rights web pages or on the council’s Vimeo channel.
Press release issued on April 10, 2025.