Article 39 is a small, independent charity which fights for the rights of children living in state and privately-run institutions (boarding and residential schools, children’s homes, immigration detention, mental health inpatient units, prisons and supported accommodation) in England.
We take our name from Article 39 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which grants every child who has been abused or suffered other rights violations the right to recover in environments where their health, self-respect and dignity are nurtured.

We promote and protect children’s rights in England through four complementary areas of work:

Awareness-raising of the rights, views and experiences of children – through our own work, and research and testimony published by others, we stay informed of children and young people’s views, experiences and priorities and keep them at the heart of everything we do;
Legal education – we provide an advice service and publish a range of legal resources, including law maps and a monthly legal digest, to support advocates and others to use the law in their day-to-day work with children. Our pioneering rights4children.org.uk website provides children and young people with accessible information about their rights;
Strengthening advocacy practice – we run a national network of independent advocates, with over 580 members whom we support through peer discussion groups, advocacy clinics and specialist training so they can give the best help possible to children and young people;
Policy advocacy, research and strategic litigation – we seek to influence  law and government policy so children’s rights are effectively protected, and we  legal challenges when this is necessary for defending fundamental rights and securing long-term change.

Article 39

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