Recommendation 61 consultation with children

Report: 8
Date: 26 June 2001
By: Clerk

Summary

As part of the Consultation with London's communities on the feasibility and desirability of implementing Recommendation 61 of the Report of the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry (1999), the Authority undertook a consultation exercise with children at the 'Big Meeting' that was organised by the Office of the Children's Rights Commissioner.

The children were encouraged to express their views and preferences about which encounters between the police and the public should be formally recorded.

This paper outlines the consultation method used at the 'Big Meeting' event and details what the children had to say. The paper also proposes ways in which a future relationship between the MPA and the Office of the Children's Rights Commissioner could enhance the Authority's responsibility to consult with all sections of London's community, including children.

A. Recommendations

1. Members note the publication and distribution of the specially designed Stop and Search consultation questionnaire, which was used with the children see Appendix 1.
2. The committee note the potential financial implications for further consultation with children and other 'hard to reach groups' (section C of the report).

B. Supporting information

1. On 30 May 2001 there was a 'Big Meeting' for young Londoners at the Ministry of Sound Nightclub. It was open to anyone under 18 years and the theme was 'child-friendly London of the future.'

2. The 'Big Meeting' was organised in conjunction with the Office for Children's Rights Commissioner and the GLA, by young people for young people, and provided a unique space for children to meet around the issues of children's rights, citizenship and creating a child-friendly London.

3. The programme for the event established an 'Information Zone', the 'Creative Zone' and the 'Rights Zone'. All three areas aimed to fully involve children consisted of a marketplace of stalls where information about London organisations, projects and subjects was available. Young people had the opportunity to find things out, get involved, air their views and have their say in the way London is policed. The MPA was invited to attend the event and had an exhibition stand developed jointly by the Communications Group and the Consultation Unit. MPA representatives and PC Mark Knight and Sergeant Laurie Boyle, answered questions and gathered children's input on 'Stop and Search'. General fun resources and freebies were provided as well as information on the MPA and child-friendly questionnaires on 'Stop and Search'. A backdrop looking something like a brick wall was erected on which people could draw and write about stop and search and aspects of policing. 'Know your Rights' material was handed out and a web version of the 'Know your Rights' campaign material was accessible by laptop.

Who came?

4. The event was promoted widely among organisations, schools, play centres and youth clubs, as well as being publicised in London newspapers and listing magazines. Children and young people from disadvantaged and excluded groups were specifically invited. Adults were only able to attend if accompanied by a young person. Approximately 500 children attended the meeting.

About the Office of the Children's Rights Commissioner

5. The London Children's Rights Commissioner has been established to demonstrate the value of having a Children's Rights Commissioner for all children. It works in partnership with children and young people in everything it does and has a Children's Advisory Board of 12 people aged 10-17.

6. The London Children's Rights Commissioner recently produced the 'Sort it Out' report which is the result of a consultation carried out with 3,000 children and young people in London. They are working closely with the GLA to produce London's first Children's Strategy.

What Next?

7. The London Children's Rights Commissioner will ensure the views expressed by the children and young people at the meeting are heard by decision makers in the relevant GLA, Local Authority or Government departments. Children and young people interested in further involvement will be invited to take part in future projects. There are three principal areas where the Office of the Children's Rights Commissioner and the MPA might work together in the future:

• The development of the Mayor's Children's Strategy for London
  The Mayor has commissioned the Office of the London Children's Rights Commissioner to help him develop a Children's Strategy – a multi-agency holistic strategy aimed at making London a more child-friendly city. MPA officers have held meetings with the GLA to discuss the most constructive way for it to contribute to this development. Officers will also be working closely with the LCRC;
• Future Projects co-ordinated by the Office of the Children's Rights Commissioner for London
  The Office of the Children's Rights Commissioner is committed to identifying and taking forward projects focussed on particular areas of children's lives. The project areas have not yet been finally agreed, but it is highly likely that they will follow the results of their own consultation work with children. This will mean that at least some of these projects will have significant overlap with MPA work (children identified: street safety, drug misuse, etc as their key priorities for change.) The Office of the Children's Rights Commissioner are actively seeking opportunities to work in collaboration with the MPA.
• Future Projects for the MPA
  The Office of the Children's Rights Commissioner are happy to support the MPA in working in a positive and participative way with children and young people. Where the MPA may want to consult or set up projects involving children and young people, the Office of the Children's Rights Commissioner offer advice, support project development, and to help network with children and children's organisations etc.

7. Many of the kids at the Big Meeting had been searched or witnessed a search, and most of them have direct experience of racism. We asked them:

(a) should police officers write something down every time they stop someone?

Results showed overwhelming agreement for the recording of a stop

(b) would you feel more confident about the police if they told you why they stopped you?

Respondents were similarly in agreement in wanting good reason. Only two respondents disagreed

(c) would you feel better if a police officer had to give you a form after they stopped you?

Unlike responses to (a) and (b), respondents to this question gave mixed reaction with marginally more emphasis on the giving of a form

(d) should the police officer write down what your ethnic background is?

Results again mixed, with marginally more respondents negating the recording of ethnicity

(e) anything you'd like to say? Responders commented:

"What's ethnic background got to do about it?"

"I think that the police are mostly white and men. There should be ladies, white/black and any other colours, and women."

"It's OK to be stopped, but people might feel a bit out of place"
[embarrassed] sic

"It's a good idea but people have to be careful because it can be misused."

Generally, the kids agreed Stop and Search is good as long as it is used correctly and the person involved understands what is happening. Consent. Reason. Respect.

C. Financial implications

There are no financial implications with this report, however, there are financial implications for future consultation.

There may be some additional costs for freestanding display screens and stands and the cost of transporting the stands. Photographs and press will be an essential part of improving the profile of the MPA and profiling future events. There may be a need to develop user friendly consultation material, resources for children, rewriting questionnaires and advertising for promotional purposes. It is anticipated in the first instance that these costs can be contained within existing estimates, but if necessary there may be a need to make an allocation from the first year set up costs reserve. The additional costs in 2000-01 are estimated at £8,000.

D. Background papers

None.

E. Contact details

The author of this report is Julia Smith.

For information contact:

MPA general: 020 7202 0202
Media enquiries: 020 7202 0217/18

Send an e-mail linking to this page

Feedback