All too often, our justice system fails children. Measures which should protect, often expose them to harm, particularly in secure settings and at key moments of transition. Why the justice system fails to safeguard children, our most vulnerable members of society, is the focus of this conference. We will explore the key issues, identify solutions and the urgent actions required for the rhetoric to match the reality. 

Disadvantaged children fall through the cracks of a failing system from the day they are born and research shows they are the least likely to seek help or access legal advice. The legal system has not been designed to meet the needs of children, whether as complainants, victims, suspects or defendants in criminal proceedings; being held in the secure estate, subject to decision-making by the parole board or navigating the family courts, the care, education, health systems and increasingly punitive asylum processes.

Children enter the legal system without adequate legal advice, representation and appropriate support. Worse still, they are often unaware of their rights and entitlements. In many spheres they require, but don’t have, an adult to advocate for them and, where needed, to bring litigation on their behalf. Lawyers act in silos when collaboration across disciplines and specialisms is necessary to ensure effective and holistic child protection.  

We acknowledge the legal system does not work to facilitate but instead obstructs access to justice for children. This is most stark at critical points when they need it the most, to reduce risks, meet their welfare needs and divert them from the risk of offending. This conference is an invitation to join us in working towards a legal system that works to upholds children’s rights, working alongside children as rights seekers.

This conference will be an opportunity to come together and be part of a movement where children are enabled to effectively access and secure their rights and protections across the legal system.  For too long children have been unable to advocate for themselves and have been left without a voice or agency in processes that happen to them, without a clear roadmap to direct them to, and provide them with, the support they need. We will place children at the heart of this conference and come together as a social justice community recognising the need to do things differently to support and protect children's rights and interests. 

We will address:

Effective participation of children in the legal system: at the police station, in courts and tribunals: from arrest to parole. Supporting victims and perpetrators: accuser and accused.      
Who is a child and when childhood isn’t recognised or protected
Contextual and transitional safeguarding. Examining protections for children in unsafe environments and secure settings through a safeguarding lens: school exclusion, turning 18, homeless and destitute children/ young people; release from secure settings and reintegration. How can the legal system catch up with practice in its approach to contextual and transitional safeguarding?
Giving children a voice: ensuring the child’s views are taken into account and embedding children’s rights in decision-making.

To mark Universal Children's Day, we will bring together lawyers, academics, professionals, campaigners and those on the frontline to discuss how to best advocate for children and ensure their rights are safeguarded and enforced.

The purpose of this conference is to encourage a multi-disciplinary approach to children's rights and further grow the community of children's rights legal specialists and organisations championing the rights of children.

This conference is a collaboration between Garden Court Chambers' Children's Rights Team, the University of Central London (UCL) Centre for Access to Justice and Legal Action Group.

Contact the host of Children's Rights Conference 2026 - Falling Through the Cracks: Promoting Universal Children’s Rights