18 November 2025
In celebration of World Children’s Day 2025 on Thursday 20 November, the Government of
Jersey is highlighting how children and young people are shaping decisions that affect their
lives.
The School Council Network Feedback Report 2024 to 2025 demonstrates how structured
student forums amplify young voices in decision-making.
Representatives from primary and secondary schools meet six times a year to share ideas,
debate priorities, and feed proposals directly into government. This process is embedded in the
Children, Young People and Families Plan and overseen by the Children’s Outcomes Executive
Committee; a cross-Ministerial group committed to listening and acting on input. Students
shared their views on how the Government can help all children to have the best life possible
through this video: Voice of the School Council Network.
Over the past year, guided by the Corporate Parenting Board, children in care and care leavers
have also played a vital role in shaping the services that support them. Engagement has grown
significantly, digital participation has doubled, and their priorities, such as financial education,
transition support, and an enhanced Care Leaver Offer, have directly informed improvements,
including the Independent Living Skills Pilot and strengthened accommodation pathways.
The Minister for the Children and Families, Connétable Richard Vibert, said: "This World
Children’s Day, UNICEF’s call to actively listen to children and uphold their right to participation
is being answered in Jersey. Our commitment is guided by Participation Standards launched in
2022. We thank children in care and care leavers whose voices are shaping real change. We
also thank the School Council Network for their sustained engagement in the Children, Young
People and Families Plan."
The School Council Network’s annual report highlights achievements from 2024–2025,
including:
- Play Spaces: co-design of the new Millennium Town Park playground
- Healthy Eating: testing menus for the hot school meal pilot
- Housing and Cost of Living: questioning Ministers and exploring solutions with Andium
Homes and the Consumer Council
- Campaigns and Creativity: creating their own logo and mission statement and
designing a vaping prevention campaign.
This year, the Minister and Assistant Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning, Deputy Rob
Ward and Deputy Carina Alves, visited 13 schools and spoke directly with students and asked
them what they thought about the options available to them after finishing secondary school.
The Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning, Deputy Rob Ward, said: "Student feedback is
essential to ensure that changes to the education and training options in Jersey meet the needs
of our young people. I would like to thank all the students who shared their views directly with
us about Post 16. Giving children and young people a voice is an investment in their future. And
through the School Council Network, students are influencing decisions. Their voices matter,
and we are committed to listening and acting."
gov.je