UNICEF deems Liverpool a ‘Child Friendly City’

Recognition for children’s rights work

Liverpool has achieved international recognition as a UNICEF Child Friendly City.

The prestigious recognition acknowledges the progress Liverpool has made in embedding children’s rights across services, policies and communities. The city ensures that children and young people are listened to, respected and given meaningful opportunities to influence the decisions that affect their lives.

Cllr Liz Parsons, Liverpool City Council’s cabinet member for Children’s Social Services, said:

“We are incredibly proud that Liverpool has achieved UNICEF Child Friendly City status. This international recognition reflects the dedication of children and young people, families, schools, community organisations and council teams and partners across the city.

“Most importantly, this achievement belongs to Liverpool’s children and young people. Their voices are shaping decisions across the city and helping us build services that are designed with them, not for them.

“Child Friendly City status recognises progress, not perfection. We know there is more to do, but this recognition shows that Liverpool is a city where children’s rights matter and where we are committed to creating the best possible opportunities for every child and young person.

“This is not a badge – it is a commitment to ongoing change, and we look forward to continuing that journey together.”

The awarded status comes following an Ofsted inspection that graded the council’s Children’s Services as ‘Good’. Inspectors praised the council’s “relentless improvements” over the three years since it received an ‘Inadequate’ rating.

Ofsted awarded Liverpool the Child Friendly City status in recognition of its range of initiatives aimed at improving children’s lives. This included:

• giving young people a greater voice in decision-making
• expanding support for families through 12 Family Hubs
• improving parks and play spaces
• increasing investment in youth services
• boosting access to free school meals, breakfast clubs, leisure activities and holiday programmes
• maintaining strong early years education standards
• providing children’s rights training across organisations
• offering free travel passes for care-experienced young people

The leader of Liverpool City Council, Cllr Liam Robinson, plans to announce the creation of a new ‘Youth Parliament’ in Liverpool at the full council meeting on Wednesday 29 July.

The parliament will be tasked with developing a Child Friendly City ‘manifesto’. It will include ideas and initiatives children and young people want to see introduced in the city moving forward.

Building on the progress made

Jenny Glennard, corporate director of Children and Young People’s Services at Liverpool City Council said:

“From the design of parks and public spaces to shaping policies and services, children and young people in Liverpool are increasingly helping to shape the city around them.

“UNICEF’s recognition and Ofsted’s findings both demonstrate that Liverpool is moving in the right direction. They show what can be achieved when we listen to children and young people, invest in services and work together across the city to improve outcomes.

“The next phase of work will continue to strengthen how children’s voices shape the city and its services.

“The council and its partners will also continue to embed children’s rights across services, ensuring that every child and young person can access safe spaces, opportunities to thrive and a genuine voice in decisions affecting their lives.”

Frances Bestley, director of programmes, UNICEF UK said:

“Recognition as a Child Friendly City is a fantastic achievement for Liverpool and reflects the city’s commitment to creating a place where children feel safe, supported and able to thrive.

“It’s particularly encouraging to see real progress being made, from improvements to play areas and green spaces, to more children receiving free school meals and the opening of 12 new Family Hubs.

“This milestone is not just a celebration of what has been achieved so far – it’s a commitment to keep building on that progress – ensuring every child and young person is listened to, supported and given the opportunity to reach their full potential.”