There are many ways the children's rights approach will be embedded throughout the Council.
Examples of work to date
Cornwall Youth Council
Cornwall Youth Council was launched in April 2022. It is a group of young people who want to make a difference in Cornwall. The Youth Council’s goal is to empower children and young people in Cornwall and advocate for their needs and views.
The current Youth Council, elected in March 2026, are working on these campaign areas:
- accessibility, disability and inclusion (SEND, young carers and sanitary items)
- increasing youth voice and support
- transport access and freedom to travel
- sports, leisure and safe activity spaces
- mental health support and wellbeing
Find out more about Cornwall Youth Council
Or email Cornwall Youth Council at youthcouncil@cornwall.gov.uk.
Right On! Survey
The Right On! Survey is a big survey that happens every two years. It is a survey of children and young people in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. The survey invites them to let us know their thoughts on a wide range of issues topics that matter to them. This survey is part of the work we do, to make sure we are connected to the children and young people of Cornwall. We deliberately link the UNCRC and the Right On! Survey. This helps the council to make decisions about things that are important to young people.
More than 13,000 children and young people took part in the 2025 survey. Results have been shared with the schools and colleges that took part, council staff and Councillors. A series of reports provides key findings from the survey:
- 2025 Right On Survey | Summary
- 2025 Right On Survey | Physical Health and Mental Wellbeing
- 2025 Right On Survey | Smoking, Vaping, Alcohol, Drugs
- 2025 Right On Survey | Relationships and Sexual Health
- 2025 Right On Survey | Home And Community Life
- 2025 Right On Survey | School Life
- 2025 Right On Survey | Children and Young People in Other Education
The Annual Conversation and Article 12 Celebration Day
The Annual Conversation took place in 2021, 2022 and 2024. The Article 12 Celebration Day took place in 2025. This joint working event brings together children, young people and council leaders. It gives children and young people the opportunity to share ideas on the future of Cornwall.
Find out more about the Annual Conversation
Children’s Rights Working Group
Cornwall Council has set up a Children’s Rights Working Group (CWRG). Its original purpose was to plan and review how we are embedding a children’s rights approach across all areas of the Council’s work. CRWG membership is currently being reviewed to provide a task-and-finish group focused on delivering the Children’s Rights strategic action plan.
Rights Respecting Schools Award
We work closely with UNICEF to support the Rights Respecting Schools Award (RRSA) in Cornwall.
The goal is to create a RRSA Cornwall Community of Practice. This group will then support other schools on their RRSA journey in the future.
Lundy Model National Community of Practice
Cornwall Council has joined the Lundy National Community of Practice.
This is a group of people who work in children’s and youth services. Members use the Lundy Model of Participation to improve the way they involve children and young people. The Community shares good practice and learns from experiences in other areas.
The Model has four key concepts (space, voice, audience, influence).
Council Priorities Plan
Cornwall Council’s Priorities Plan explains what the Council’s priorities are and what they mean in practice for residents and businesses. The Council remains committed to embedding the rights of the child in everything we do. The council’s six priorities are:
- A clean, green Cornwall with healthy rivers and seas
- A resilient economy creating good growth and jobs
- A caring place for families where children build a bright future
- Supporting people to live healthy and dignified lives
- Connected, safe, reliable roads and transport