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Author: Sam Nelson

Protecting Children’s Right to Healthcare

3 February 2026
Sam Nelson
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Categories: Press Release

The Children’s Law Centre is deeply concerned by the findings of the Northern Ireland Public Services Ombudsman’s Overview Report on the removal of patients from GP practice lists. The report makes clear that inappropriate deregistration is occurring in a range of circumstances, including removals without warning, removals linked to complaints and the automatic removal of family members, all of which breach statutory processes and professional guidance.

John O’Doherty, CEO at the Children’s Law Centre commented: “Access to primary healthcare is a fundamental right for every child. Ensuring that children can register with and remain registered with a GP is essential for safeguarding their health, wellbeing, and development. Losing access to primary care, even temporarily, can place children at immediate risk, particularly those with disabilities, long‑term conditions, mental ill-health or complex needs.

“The Northern Ireland health service and GP practices have a clear legal duty to follow the statutory procedures set out in the Health and Personal Social Services (General Medical Services Contracts) Regulations (NI) 2004, including requirements for communication, warnings, verification, and proportionality before any removal takes place. The Ombudsman’s findings show that these safeguards are not consistently being applied, leading to avoidable harm, distress, and barriers to accessing essential healthcare.

“Children must never lose access to their GP because of administrative failings, misunderstandings, or actions taken against another family member. Professional guidance is explicit that relatives should not be removed solely due to another person’s behaviour.

“The Children’s Law Centre therefore calls on the Department of Health, GP practices and the Business Services Organisation to urgently strengthen guidance, verification processes and oversight, and to introduce an independent review mechanism for removal decisions, as recommended by the Ombudsman.

“Every child has the right to timely, accessible, and continuous healthcare. This right must be protected in practice, without exception.”

10 is Too Young Coalition Launches Renewed Calls for Increase in Minimum Age of Criminal Responsibility

2 February 2026
Sam Nelson
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Categories: News

02 February 2026

At 10 years of age, Northern Ireland (NI) has one of the lowest ages of criminal responsibility in the world. Despite repeated, longstanding calls, internationally and nationally, no legislative progress has been made.

On Thursday 29th January, the 10 is too Young coalition, published their latest joint briefing, providing the evidence for raising the age in NI to 16, with no exceptions, holding a briefing event for stakeholders and organisations on why this must be raised as a matter of urgency, and encouraging organisations to support this key change.

The group, made up of  Children in Northern Ireland (CiNI), the Children’s Law Centre, Include Youth, Niacro, the Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People (NICCY) and the Voice of Young People in Care (VOYPIC) have said that the Justice Bill presents the opportunity to finally deliver reform that has been promised, consulted on and supported for well over a decade. Failing to act now would mean knowingly continuing a system that does not wholly work in the best interests of our children and young people.

The 10 is too Young Coalition is encouraging Members of the NI Assembly to support an amendment to the Justice Bill to raise the age, with no exceptions, as a necessary, proportionate and principled reform to our justice system.

The briefing paper published is now available to download.

DOWNLOAD THE BRIEFING

Children’s Law Centre Urges MLAs: SEND Transformation Must Deliver Real Change for Children

3 December 2025
Sam Nelson
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Categories: News

03 December 2025

Appearing before the Northern Ireland Assembly’s Education Committee, on Wednesday 3rd December, as part of its inquiry into Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND), the Children’s Law Centre (CLC) acknowledged ongoing efforts by the Department of Education and the Education Authority (EA) to transform the SEND system. However, CLC stressed that every step must be taken to ensure these reforms do not replicate the shortcomings of the past.

Despite years of work under the SEND transformation programme, many children still face delays in accessing the support they need. CLC warned that without meaningful change, the system risks rebranding old barriers rather than removing them.

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Speaking after appearing at the committee, Rachel Hogan BL, SEND Specialist Legal Adviser said: “The percentage of children on the SEN register who now require a statement has doubled in the last decade, rising from 22% in 2014/15 to 42% in 2024/25. This reflects a system where children’s needs are being left unmet for prolonged periods.

“We recognise the commitment to improving SEND provision, but transformation must lead to tangible outcomes for children. Too many families continue to experience prolonged waits for specialist support and this cannot become the norm. Every child has a right to education now, not in another decade.

“Despite the clear commitment, children with special educational needs are still being left without education. For some families being supported by CLC, the loss of education has stretched into years.

“In our work, we continue to see disabled children put on reduced timetables, sent home early, or simply left without any education at all. This is not acceptable under the law and it should never be acceptable in any society that values children’s rights.

“Continuing to build systems upon a shaky foundation with insufficient financial and human resources will not produce changed outcomes. Increasing capacity of pupil support services to respond directly to children through early intervention to meet their needs will enable the EA pupil support services to deliver positive change.”

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Children’s Law Centre and Queen’s University Mark 10 Years of Children’s Services Co-operation Act

24 November 2025
Sam Nelson
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Categories: News

24 November 2025

The Children’s Law Centre (CLC), in partnership with the Centre for Children’s Rights at Queen’s University Belfast, hosted a significant event on Monday 24th November 2025 to mark the tenth anniversary of the Children’s Services Co-operation Act (Northern Ireland) 2015.

The event, From Promise to Practice: Realising the Vision of the Children’s Services Co-operation Act, brought together senior government officials, children’s services providers, academics and representatives from the voluntary and community sectors to reflect on the origins of the Act, assess progress to date, and explore what needs to change to fully realise its potential.

The Children’s Services Co-operation Act was introduced to improve the wellbeing of children and young people by requiring Government departments and key agencies to work together more effectively. Ten years on, the event took stock of achievements, highlighted barriers to implementation and renewed focus on enhancing cross-departmental co-operation for the benefit of children.

SEE THE EVENT PROGRAMME

Speaking before the event, Professor Bronagh Byrne, Director of the Centre for Children’s Rights at Queen’s, said: “This Act was born from a recognition that children’s lives do not sit neatly within departmental silos. A decade later, that truth remains unchanged. This is an important moment to reflect on how far we have come, to consider those most affected and to identify what more must be done to ensure meaningful, joined-up action that genuinely improves children’s lives. We are delighted to partner with the Children’s Law Centre in marking this significant milestone.”

Fergal McFerran, Policy and Public Affairs Manager at the Children’s Law Centre, said: “For ten years, the Children’s Services Co-operation Act has represented a clear legislative commitment to prioritising children’s wellbeing through co-operation. Yet too many children and young people are still experiencing the consequences of fragmented systems and missed opportunities for collaboration.

“Children have been failed because the systems meant to protect them did not work together. Ten years on, children are still falling through the same gaps. We can’t keep saying things will change. We need to see it happen.”

The programme included contributions from those involved in the development of the Act, duty bearers reflecting on progress and children’s sector organisations highlighting where the lack of effective implementation continues to impact specific groups of children and young people. The day concluded with facilitated discussions on how to strengthen co-operation across government and services in the years ahead.

Office Space Available at Rights House for Voluntary & Professional Organisations

5 November 2025
Sam Nelson
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Categories: News

We are pleased to share that office accommodation is available at our building – Children’s Law Centre’s premises at Rights House, 127-131 Ormeau Road, Belfast, BT7 1SH.

Key Details:

  • A first-floor suite (Suite 4) offering 1,892 sq ft (176 m²) of modern office space.
  • Located in a landmark Grade-B1 listed building, recently refurbished and finished to a good standard with carpeted floors, suspended ceilings, dedicated kitchen, and gas-fired central heating.
  • Secure, on-site car parking available by way of negotiation.
  • Excellent location: approximately 0.5 km south of Belfast city centre, with strong public transport links (bus services and a ten-minute walk to Botanic Train Station).
  • The building already houses organisations in the voluntary, legal and professional sectors, so the space is well suited to similar types of occupant.

Why Consider this Space?

Our organisation is rooted in the voluntary/third sector, and this opportunity offers a unique chance for a like minded organisation to locate within a dynamic and supportive environment. Whether you are a non-profit, social enterprise, legal or professional service provider, this space could offer the setting you need.

Next Steps

If your organisation is interested in exploring this accommodation further, please contact the property agent, Savills (Belfast).

FIND OUT MORE

We would encourage you to share this notice with any organisations in your network that might be looking for office space in Belfast.