Lack of activities for teenagers says commissioner
BBCJersey's children's commissioner has expressed concerns about the lack of affordable and accessible activities for teenagers on the island.
"What they've been telling us around play is that there really isn't all that much for them to do that is affordable, that's accessible," Carmel Corrigan told BBC Radio Jersey as her office released its annual report.
She said while provisions for very young children were relatively good, older children and teenagers struggled to find suitable activities.
Ms Corrigan noted that this issue was not unique to Jersey, and compared it to similar challenges in the UK and Ireland.
'Include all children'
However, she pointed out that other European countries took issues more seriously and recognised the value of engaging children in both active play and social activities.
She also highlighted the importance of listening to children's voices on the matters.
"We need to capture children's voices around a broader range of issues and make sure we're including all children in that conversation," she said.
She suggested that a more concerted effort was needed to engage particularly vulnerable children, including those with additional needs or in the care system.
'Need for indoor activities'
The recent success of new play parks in Jersey demonstrates the demand for such spaces but she stressed the need for indoor activities, especially during bad weather.
The Office of the Children's Commissioner for Jersey has released a series of recommendations to the government which included:
- Emphasise the importance of hearing children's voices, commit to legislative reforms, and consider raising the minimum age of criminal responsibility from 10 to 14.
- Assess the impact of proposed budget cuts on children's social care, inclusion review, and youth justice strategies.
- Amend definitions for clarity, mandate a code of practice, and ensure advocacy services' independence.
The Government of Jersey has been asked for a response.
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