Knowsley Council and its partners have commissioned 4Children - a national children’s charity for children and young people aged 0-19 - to establish a Knowsley Commission into the lives of young people.

The Commission will be chaired by the writer, broadcaster and advocate for Merseyside, Phil Redmond, Creative Director of the European Capital of Culture 2008, Chair of National Museums Liverpool and creator of the popular TV soaps Hollyoaks, Brookside and Grange Hill. Redmond will lead a panel of children’s services experts and national commentators in a five-week investigation into the lives of young people in Knowsley. The panel has been formed as part of the Knowsley Young People’s Commission that will collect and examine evidence on what motivates and drives young people in Knowsley.

Over the coming weeks the panel will meet with young people from across the borough to find out their views on growing up in Knowsley, the opportunities and challenges that exist. The panel will also meet with parents and those who work closely with young people to gain a rounded picture of young people’s lives.

The Commission is an independent advisory body that will gain an unprecedented insight into the everyday issues that young people and the organisations that work with them face. Its findings will help inform local policies around young people over the coming years.

The Commission began gathering its evidence with a meeting with young people in Huyton.

Phil Redmond, Chair of the Knowsley Young People’s Commission said: “I am delighted to be involved in this Commission which aims to investigate the real needs and interests of young people in Knowsley. Throughout my television career I have always found it invigorating working and listening to the views of young people. I am optimistic that they will be keen to contribute towards decisions which will affect their lives in the future. ”

Cllr Graham Wright, Knowsley’s Cabinet Member for Children & Family Services, said: “Knowsley is committed to putting the needs of children and young people at the heart of local policies. The Commission provides a great opportunity for the council and its partners to really get under the skin of young people’s issues to make sure we make decisions which will have a really positive influence on their lives over the coming years.”

Damian Allen, Executive Director for Children and Family Services, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for young people to work with an independent commission to ensure that the council and its partners fully take on board their views and understands their aims and ambitions. Knowsley is the first area in the country to carry out such a major, independent investigation into the lives of young people, offering an unrivalled opportunity to influence local decision making for many years to come.”

Charles Ellis, 4Children Deputy Chief Executive said: “As a national charity we have a strong track record of involving and participating with young people in order to influence and shape policy which ultimately affects their lives. The 16,000 young people with whom we worked were crucial to influencing and shaping government policy and we are confident that we will be able to ensure that young people in Knowsley have the chance to influence their local policy.”

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Notes to the Editor

For further information contact Julie Watkins on 0207 522 6928 / 07917870641/ Julie.Watkins@4Children.org.uk

Knowsley Young People’s Commission Panel members are:

Phil Redmond CBE (Chair of Commission): Television producer, screenwriter and Creative Director of Liverpool's 2008 European Capital of Culture.
Valerie Hannon: Managing Partner, The Innovation Unit
Yvonne Roberts: Journalist, Author and Broadcaster
Jeremy Vine: Assistant Editor, The Times
Professor Alan Dyson: Professor of Education, Centre for Equity in Education, University of Manchester

4Children
4Children is the national charity all about children and families. It aspires to ensure that all children, young people and families have access to a creative, safe and child focused environment, and activities. For more information see www.4Children.org.uk.

Knowsley Council
Media Enquiries: Please contact Sandra Issar on 0151 443 3224 / Sandra.Issar@knowsley.gov.uk.
www.knowsley.gov.uk.

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