The Green Paper for Vulnerable Children - Ministry of Social ...

Submissions from childrenand young peopleThis chapter summarises the submissions we received from children and young people.Submissions were received through two main channels:• Question and answer submissions: a phone survey carried out by Barnardos and a 14-itemonline questionnaire specifically designed for youth.• Free-form submissions: these submissions represented facilitated discussions with childrenand young people carried out by schools and organisations.Summary of submissions from childrenand young peopleParents and family: Children and young people said they want their parents and whānau tobe supportive, to keep them safe and secure, to meet their emotional needs and to providea sense of belonging. Submissions from young people said that parents and families had themain responsibility for ensuring that young people thrive, belong and achieve. They said theywant their families to provide the basics, love and nurture them and provide moral guidance.Children and young people also want parents and family be involved in their activities, to seethem as unique individuals and to see them as a priority. When asked how life could be madebetter for children and young people, young people said that providing support to both youngpeople and their families was a way to achieve this.Education and schools: From schools, children and young people said theywant safe and secure environments, good teachers, to get an education andlearn life skills. They said that they want to be treated fairly and asindividuals, listened to with respect and to be consulted. Submissions fromyoung people also said that education has made a difference for them intheir lives. In addition they said schools had a part to play in making lifebetter for all children and young people in New Zealand.Professionals: Children and young people’s submissions said they wantgood communication from adults who help them, and for those workers to be professional.They want these workers to check up on children and follow through with their promises.They want adults to know what they are talking about.20