Children and Young People’s Policy

Together! 2012 CIC welcomes all young Disabled adults to join in with our Clubs activities and arts programmes, including those who are non-verbal. By ‘Disabled’ we mean children and adults with long-term health conditions, including mental health conditions; and/or learning difficulties; and/or restricted vision, hearing and/or mobility. Children and young people may also be described as having Special Educational Needs (SEN). Our Ground Rules for Participants are here.

We also run activities especially for Disabled children and young people, as artists, participants and audience members. These activities are currently delivered on Zoom, video, and via social media including Instagram, TikTok and Facebook. We explain what we do to keep children and young people safe during these activities in our Safeguarding Policy here.

Together! 2012 CIC’s work with children and young people is underpinned by Article 31 of the UN Convention of the Rights of Children and by Article 30 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Article 31 gives children and young people the right to take part freely in cultural activities, just like adults, whether or not they are Disabled. Article 30 gives Disabled people the right to participate in the arts on equal terms with non-disabled people, as artists, participants, arts workers and audience members.

Together! 2012 CIC also uses Arts Council England’s principles for working with children and young people:

  • Being authentic “You can’t be what you can’t see” – through working with professional Disabled artists, Disabled children and young people learn what is possible for their own futures.
  • Being exciting, inspiring and engaging We offer Disabled children and young people a broad range of arts activities through our Clubs and online family activities, and signpost them to wider arts activities.
  • Ensuring a positive, child-centred experience Disabled children and young people have a choice of arts activities in our Clubs; and are asked for their ideas and suggestions; as well as being offered activities by the Club leader in consultation with them.
  • Actively involving children and young people Together! 2012 CIC offers opportunities for Disabled children and young people to share the skills they gain through engaging in our activities with others; skills shares and presentations; programming children and young people’s work into our events and Festival; and offering volunteering opportunities.
  • Providing a sense of personal progression A Personal Development Plan is created with each child or young person and their family. This may include, but is not limited to, agreeing which Together! 2012 Clubs and other activities a young person would benefit from attending; participation in the Arts Award scheme, supporting children and young people to gain nationally recognised qualifications; membership of the Professional Development Club; volunteering; and placement in external activities such as Act Up! Newham’s drama offer. The Personal Development Plan is regularly reviewed to ensure the child or young person is meeting their goals, and space and time is made for the child or young person to reflect on their own progress.
  • Developing a sense of ownership and belonging Clubs content is directed by the needs, desires, and suggestions of children and young people. Children and young people meet with their Disabled peers, developing social networks and resilience, fostering collaboration and learning from each other.

To find out more about our activities for children and young people, contact kate@together2012.org.uk You can also find out more about our Youth Together! programme here and find Family Activities online here.