'Every Child Maters' outcomes from children and young people's perspectives

The Children’s Say Participation Project (NCH) wanted to find out what the 5 every child matters outcomes mean to children and young people. This is what Hollie (12yrs), Gemma (13yrs), Kallum (11yrs) and Lauren (10yrs) said the 5 every child matters outcomes mean to them

Be Healthy

We are healthy, this means we exercise regularly, eat at least 5 pieces of fruit and veg a day. We also know who to talk to when we are upset or feeling down so we don’t want to hurt or kill ourselves. We choose not to get pregnant or catch any disease. We understand and choose not to take illegal drugs, not to drink alcohol and not smoke.

Stay Safe

We stay safe, this means that we don’t get killed or hurt from accidents and we are safe from bullying and given a fair chance. People look after us and make sure we are safe so we are not affected by violence. We are not used for sex. Bad behaviour does not affect us. Our lives are stable and we have a place called home which makes us feel secure and cared for.

Enjoy and Achieve

This means we feel ready to go to school. We have good attendance at school and enjoy it. We do well and get good results in school tests. We enjoy our spare time, get involved in things and get lots from this.

Make a Positive Contribution

This means we are involved in making decisions in our area and help make choices in our lives. We make friends, we don’t bully and we give people a fair chance. We learn and boost our confidence and cope well with big decisions and changes. We do not get into trouble with the police and behave well both in and out of school. We have new, exciting, interesting ideas and share them with people to make a difference.

Achieve Economic Well Being

This means we carry on learning after we leave school. We do work experience and get jobs and might even go to university. We are ready to get a good job. We live in a nice home and a good environment. The area we live in is safe and the people are proud of the home where they live. We can travel to where we want to go. We have the things that we need and like in our life. We can help people who don’t have enough money to have the same chances as everybody else, this might even mean they get discount and help with childcare or disability allowance or other things they might need.