The Language Leaders are a group of young people with lived experience of the Children’s Hearings System, along with professionals with lived and learned experience from CHS, SCRA, social work, advocacy, children’s rights and CELCIS. The aim of the group is to make sure that all children who attend Hearings are supported to understand and be included by transforming the use of written and spoken language.
As part of this work, the group have developed four broad principles to guide professionals in their spoken and written communication with children and families. Language Leaders state that language should be personalised, balanced, non-stigmatising, and easy to understand, so that children feel safe, included, and at the centre of their Hearing.
Language Leaders are working closely with animation company ‘Braw Talent’ to develop an animation aimed at professionals, that will bring these principles to life. In a recent workshop, the group came up with ideas for possible characters, colours, words, phrases, and images that could be used. The next stage of the work is to develop a script. Watch this space for more information!