Children's Law Centre

25/08/2026

Our GDPR and Children's Rights training covers the legal requirements, key data protection principles, lawful basis for processing personal data and the key steps everyone can take towards compliance. It also considers some of the other challenges that have emerged for those working with personal data since the introduction of the legislation in 2018.

This session can be a useful refresher for those already familiar with GDPR or as an introduction for those new to the legislation. It will help you consider and review your approach and identify some actions to improve your processes. This engaging and practical session will equip you with the knowledge to confidently handle children's personal data in line with data protection laws.

Book today at https://www.tickettailor.com/events/childrenslawcentre/2171536

19/08/2026

18/08/2026

In their final podcast, Youth@CLC take the show on the road to record a very special episode directly from Stormont. The Youth@CLC team are joined by Claire Sugden MLA, Gerry Carroll MLA, Sian Mulholland MLA, Colin McGrath MLA, Timothy Gaston MLA, Danny Baker MLA and Robbie Butler MLA.

Find the episode at https://buff.ly/wZvPukx

17/08/2026

Children with Special Educational Needs (SEN) possess the same fundamental rights to education, dignity, and equality as their peers. However, systemic pressures often leave these entitlements misunderstood. Drawing on the Children’s Law Centre’s extensive legal experience, this essential training cuts through complexity to provide a practical understanding of the legal framework protecting vulnerable learners.

We will explore the statutory assessment process, the legal enforceability of statements, and robust appeal rights via SENDIST. Crucially, this session covers all recent and proposed changes, including the transition from five to three stages of provision and the rollout of Personal Learning Plans (PLPs). Participants will gain an overview of the Department of Education’s reform agenda and the ongoing end-to-end review, ensuring you are equipped to use the law to prevent unfair treatment and vindicate children's rights.

Book today at https://buff.ly/xwtI1fp

30/06/2026

The failure to amend the Justice Bill today to raise the age of criminal responsibility in Northern Ireland is deeply disappointing and a real missed opportunity to protect some of our most disadvantaged children and young people. It’s particularly deplorable that a Petition of Concern was used to undermine the democratic will of the NI Assembly.

At just ten years old, we continue to have one of the lowest ages in the world.

23/06/2026

While it is right to recognise the harm children face online, if the problem lies with social media platforms, then the solution must be to make those environments safe, not to exclude young people from them.

Read our latest blog on protecting young people online while supporting their right to participation - https://childrenslawcentre.org.uk/children-need-rights-not-bans/

17/06/2026

Our Head of Legal, Kathryn Stevenson, was delighted to attend the 2026 NICVA Summit, exploring the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of the community and voluntary sector.

17/06/2026

A child's rights do not stop at a border. Every child, regardless of where they were born, has a right to grow up free from fear, discrimination and violence

15/06/2026

It is deeply disappointing that the Petition of Concern has been used to block amendments seeking to raise the age of criminal responsibility.

This represents a misuse of a mechanism designed to protect minority rights. It should not be used to block progress on fundamental issues facing disadvantaged children and young people.

We urge MLAs who used the PoC to seriously reconsider. It will be our most disadvantaged children and young people who pay the price.