Advocacy and impact
The rights of children and young people are protected by national and international laws, policies, and frameworks, such as the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and UN Guidelines on Alternative Care. Yet in reality, their rights are too often overlooked. Participation is a fundamental right for children and young people. We support them to engage meaningfully, speak out, and influence the policies, practices, and decisions that affect their lives.
It is vital that government policies and approaches are respecting, protecting and fulfilling the rights of children and young people.
We join forces with other like-minded organisations, and work with governments and community-based partners, to advance the respect, protection and fulfilment of children’s rights.
We call for changes to policies and share practitioner expertise and knowledge to improve practice and joined-up approaches. Partnering with others, we discover what works best to support communities in protecting and caring for children and preventing families from breaking down.
To enable children and young people to thrive, it is vital to understand both how to prevent family separation and how to provide the best possible care and protection when separation does occur. As a locally led organisation with over seven decades of experience in community-based child protection, we combine lived experience with ongoing research to define and promote best practices that keep children safe, supported, and connected.
Empowering young adults to lead action against climate change
The Eco Champions Programme, a ground-breaking initiative by SOS Children’s Villages (and made possible thanks to funding from our corporate partner, global management consultancy Baringa), provides young people from vulnerable communities with the skills and resources to take action against climate change.
Young people raise their voices at Parliamentary meeting
In 2025 we invited young people from SOS Children’s Villages to attend Parliament to meet Lord Jonathan Oates and share their stories, hopes for the future, and ideas for change.
As one young person said: “Youth participation is very important in places like Parliament and for decision-makers because young people bring new ideas and represent voices that are often not heard, especially those without proper parental care.”
Further information
For further information or to discuss our advocacy work please contact our Advocacy and External Relations Manager Hetty Bailey-Morgan at hetty.baileymorgan@sosuk.org
