Child Friendly Torbay Action Plan

1.   
that the Cabinet approve the Child Friendly
Torbay Action Plan as set out at Appendix 1 to the submitted report
and endorses this as the framework for delivering Torbay’s
commitment to embedding children’s rights in decision-making,
and approve submission of the same to UNICEF, in order to receive their ‘Certification of
Commitment’; and 

2.   
that Chief Executive be authorised to oversee
implementation and governance arrangements for delivery of the
Action Plan, including agreeing any minor amendments required to
reflect the final UNICEF requirements, and to receive regular
progress updates through established governance and scrutiny
routes.

To agree and endorse a
sustainable, partnership-led Child Friendly Action Plan that
supports the delivery of Torbay’s vision for a healthy, happy
and prosperous community by embedding a child rights-based approach
across the Council and its partners. 
The Plan responds directly to extensive consultation with children
and young people, reflecting their concerns about safety, access to
mental health and healthcare services, and the need for clearer
information and meaningful involvement in
decision-making.  It establishes clear
priorities, outcomes, governance and accountability arrangements,
alongside a monitoring framework to track progress and drive
continuous improvement.  Adoption of the
Plan will strengthen participation, integrate child rights into
policy and service design, and position Torbay to achieve UNICEF
‘Certification of Commitment’ by demonstrating a
robust, evidence-led and deliverable programme of activity.

The decision will come
into force and may be implemented on 26 May 2026 unless the call-in
procedure is triggered (as set out in the Standing Orders in
relation to Overview and Scrutiny).

Torbay Council has
been part of UNICEF UK’s Child Friendly Cities &
Communities programme, working with partners to embed a child
rights-based approach that ensures children and young people can
influence and benefit from local decisions, services and spaces.
This approach has been supported by strong partnership working and
a cross-party commitment, alongside extensive engagement with
children and young people which captured 1,860 voices and
identified key priorities, including safety, access to mental
health support, and meaningful involvement in
decision-making.  Following changes to
UNICEF UK’s programme, the Council was now seeking
endorsement of its proposed submission for a Certificate of
Commitment, supported by an evidence-led Action Plan that sets out
clear priorities, governance arrangements and participation
mechanisms.  The Plan has been designed
in line with UNICEF’s criteria to demonstrate a structured
and deliverable approach to achieving sustained improvements for
children and young people in Torbay, with ongoing monitoring,
accountability and partner involvement.