Every day in the UK some of the most vulnerable children in our society are transported in caged vehicles, physically restrained and even placed in handcuffs, despite the practice being condemned by the Children’s Commissioner, the UN Committee against Torture and at the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
For children who are already on the fringes of society - such as those in care, have a history of self-harm or who have been exploited by gangs - this only adds to their trauma.
We believe that handcuffs and restraints are deeply damaging to children – both physically and mentally - and that all children should be treated with kindness and respect so that they can lead safe, fulfilling lives.
Kids in handcuffs seems shocking – but it’s
happening more than you think.
When it comes to children in care, there are major regulatory gaps, writes Sarah Champion MP
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RECENT COVERAGE - MPs write to minister over concerns about ‘handcuffing of vulnerable children’
Bracknell News Sky News Gateway 978 Independant Morning Star Online Stirling News Jack FM
WELSH COVERAGE
WALES ISSUES GUIDANCE TO REDUCE HANDCUFFING OF CHILDREN IN CARE
WALES BECOMES FIRST UK NATION TO BAN CHILDREN IN CARE BEING HANDCUFFED OR RESTRAINED
The child sexual abuse inquiry did not go far enough
Proposed framework for measures and best practices to reduce restraint
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Articles
We are delighted to share Lord Watson is backing our campaign Hope instead of Handcuffs
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LIVES TRANSFORMED, POTENTIAL FULFILLED.
Why mindsets towards vulnerable children and young people need to change.
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MP Letter Download
Download a letter to send to your local MP, asking them to support us with our campaign. The more letters MPs receive on this issue, the more they have to listen! Simply download, and your MP’s and your name, and send to your local MP.
Click here to find out who your local MP is, and how to contact them.
DOWNLOAD LETTER TO MP
MP letter to Will Quince re handcuffs
DOWNLOAD LETTERThat is why we’re launching the Hope instead of Handcuffs campaign and we would like you to be a part of it. Our core campaign objectives are for the government to:
• Legislate to ban the handcuffing, restraining, or caging of children except when there is a considerable risk of the child harming themselves or others
• Recognise that a new approach is needed that treats vulnerable children - such as those exploited by county lines gangs - as victims instead of criminals and which provides them with the consistent, timely, high-quality interventions they need to rebuild their lives
• Allocate a minister to have specific governmental responsibility for supporting the mentoring of vulnerable and at-risk children
Emily Aklan, Founder and CEO of Serenity Welfare
"Many of the children we work with are traumatized from being transported by other companies who don’t share our child-centered philosophy. Some have been in caged vehicles, physically restrained and handcuffed.
We’ve proven it doesn’t have to be this way. Every young person is worthy of care and respect and our work won’t be done until we’ve ensured that no child or vulnerable young person has to suffer being dehumanized in this manner."
“I am keenly following the development of this campaign, and the team have done well to raise awareness of this issue and push for positive change. As I hold the Shadow Front Bench portfolio for Wales in the House of Lords, I couldn’t be more delighted at the leading progress Wales is making in this important area.”
– Baroness Wilcox
“As outlined in a recent report by children’s rights campaigners at Serenity Welfare, looked-after children and young people are viewed and treated as problems to be dealt with, rather than human beings with just as much potential as anyone else… One example of this is in the shocking scandal of innocent children in care as young as nine being handcuffed whilst being transported between care settings.”
- Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP
“It’s an abhorrent practice that has no place in modern day childcare, but it has been allowed to continue for far too long due to a loophole in the safeguarding system… It’s degrading, inhumane, and treats vulnerable young people like criminals. That’s why I'm supporting the “Hope instead of Handcuffs” campaign.”
– Sarah Champion MP
We’re proud to support The Big Issue’s ‘Today for Tomorrow’ campaign. This cross-party campaign’s mission is to dismantle the root causes of poverty, avoid future generations of Big Issue vendors and promote preventative action.
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