Council and democracy

The Hertfordshire Youth Charter

What is The Hertfordshire Youth Charter?

This Charter has been developed to raise awareness and inform both young people and adults about rights and responsibilities. All young people have these rights. They cannot be taken away, however, as a young person you have the responsibility to respect other people’s rights, their values and the environment and to know that all decisions taken about you should always be in your best interest.

This Charter is based on The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), the Human Rights Act 1998, views of young people in Hertfordshire and it also tells you what services, help and advice you can get.

How Was It Created?

By consulting young people, adults and experts.

Almost one thousand young people have been involved through schools and consultations including disabled children, care leavers and looked after young people, excluded groups, young carers, minority ethnic groups, district youth councils and others from all four quadrants in the County.

What Can It Do For Young People?

This Charter aims to help all young people in Hertfordshire to enjoy good health, live a happy lifestyle and stay safe from harm and neglect, so that they are able to grow up to be independent, enjoy their youth and develop skills to lead a fulfilling and rewarding adult life.

How Can I Find Out More?

Use the links on this page to the Young people's Magazine, as well as Connexions Hertfordshire. You can also email youth.charter@hertscc.gov.uk.

What Happens Next?

The Charter was launched at the Hertfordshire Children's Trust Partnership Stakeholders Fora in November 2005.

Young people who are still at school will be hearing about The Youth Charter through the Citizenship curriculum. They will also hear about The Youth Charter through Youth Clubs and the Connexions service.

There will be information available through the Young Person’s Magazine page of Herts Direct.