We are respectful of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and Play England’s Charter for Children’s Play, which underline the work of the charity who have actively tried to implement these key principles since its inception

On 20 November 1989 the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child was adopted by the UN General Assembly, it was ratified by the UK government in 1991. The convention places a responsibility on governments to work for ‘their own’ and for the world’s children (Newell 1993). It contains a number of articles that declare internationally accepted principles. Under Article 31 of the Convention: ‘States parties recognize the right of the child to rest and leisure, to engage in play and recreational activities appropriate to the age of the child and to participate freely in cultural life and the arts.’ The countries belonging to the United Nations, therefore, have recognised play as a right for all children. The government has a duty under this convention to protect and promote play opportunities for all children and young people.

The Convention says that every child has:

  • The right to a childhood
  • The right to be educated
  • The right to be healthy
  • The right to be treated fairly
  • The right to be heard