An overview of the Rights of Children and Young Persons (Wales) Measure 2011, its passage through the Senedd and subordinate legislation.
Contents
Overview
The Rights of Children and Young Persons (Wales) Measure 2011 (‘the Measure’) places a duty on the Welsh Ministers to have due regard to the rights and obligations in the UN Convention of the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) when making decisions of a strategic nature. When this Measure was passed by the (then) National Assembly for Wales, Wales became the first country in the UK to integrate the UNCRC into domestic law. The Measure also:
- places a duty on the Welsh Ministers to prepare and publish a Children’s Scheme which sets out the arrangements made for the purpose of securing compliance with the duty to have due regard to the rights and obligations in the UNCRC. The first Children’s Scheme was published in 2014 and the most recent Scheme was published in 2021 (see ‘related information’ below)
- places a duty on the Welsh Ministers to promote knowledge and understanding of the UNCRC
- places a duty on the Welsh Ministers to consult on the possible application of the Measure to persons who have reached 18, but are not yet 25. Following consultation (see ‘related information’ below) the decision was taken not to apply the Measure to this age group
The Explanatory Notes to the Measure provide detailed commentary on the various provisions:
Read the full Measure:
Coming into force
In accordance with section 11 the Measure came into force at the end of the period of two months following Royal Approval (in other words, on 16 May 2011).
Subordinate legislation made under the Measure
Any subordinate legislation made under the 2024 Act will be added when that subordinate legislation is made.
Consideration of the legislation by the Senedd
The Measure was introduced on 14 June 2010 by Huw Lewis AM, Deputy Minister for Children at the time. The Measure was passed by Senedd Cymru (known then as the National Assembly for Wales) on 18 January 2011.
More information about the Measure and its passage through the Senedd on senedd.wales.
The Explanatory Memorandum which was prepared by the Welsh Government (as revised after Stage 2):
The Measure received Royal Approval on 16 March 2011.