Children in England get their say
On 19 April, a survey was launched to ask all young people in England about their hopes and fears for the future. The questionnaire is called The Big Ask and it will give millions of children and young people the chance to tell the Government what they would like their lives to be like.
How does it work?
The Big Ask survey can be filled in by anyone with access to the internet. It will be made available to schools, youth groups, charities and other children’s organisations in England. There are different questions for different ages. The age groups are four to five-year-olds, six to eight, nine to 12, and 13 to 17. There is also a questionnaire for parents, carers and other adults who work with young people. The answers are anonymous, which means that it’s impossible to tell who wrote which answers, and you don’t have to take part if you don’t want to.
Who is running the survey?
The questionnaire is run by the Children’s Commissioner for England, Dame Rachel de Souza. She says the results will be used to find out what challenges young people are facing and how any problems can be solved. The information from the survey will be used to write a report for the Government. “I am your eyes and ears and I am here to stand up for your rights,” de Souza said. “I’m going to use what you tell me to show the Government what you need to live happier lives.”
Why is the review happening now?
The Big Ask is being called “a once-in-a-generation opportunity”. De Souza said that the pandemic had made the last year very challenging for many young people. She added that it was now time for adults to listen to how children have been affected, and what they are hoping for in the future. You can complete the online survey any time until 19 May. You can find the form at tinyurl.com/TWJ-bigask