In September 2025, the Government published the Child First Policy. You can find more information regarding the policy here: https://www.gov.im/news/2025/sep/18/child-first-po...
The policy’s commitment to the Island’s young people is based on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and commits Government to:
Involve children in decisions
Consider children’s best outcomes
Support early intervention, inclusive education, and family support
The Isle of Man Government has published its Child First Policy – a key step in delivering on the Island Plan’s commitment to prioritise the needs, voices, and rights of young people.
It establishes a cross-government framework that places children at the heart of policy-making, service delivery, and community life. The policy promotes consistency, upholds children’s rights, and ensures that every Government decision prioritises the best interests of young people.
The proposed plan was shaped by children themselves, with scores taking part in focus groups and many more sharing their views through schools and written submissions. Young people told Government they want to learn about their rights, access better services, have more opportunities to grow and play, and see stronger support for families.
Crucially, they asked to be more involved in decisions that affect their lives.
Minister for the Cabinet Office, David Ashford MHK, said:
‘Every child deserves to grow up safe, supported and heard. This policy is our commitment to doing just that.
'It reflects the voices of children across our Island, places their hopes and concerns at the centre of decision making across Government departments, and will help to ensure we build a society that listens, and acts in their best interests.’
The policy’s commitment to the Island’s young people is based on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and commits Government to:
Involve children in decisions
Consider children’s best outcomes
Support early intervention, inclusive education, and family support
Ensure access to opportunities for children to thrive
Training in children’s rights and how to incorporate them into decision making and policy- making is being provided to Government Minsters, department members and to public service staff. Examples of the policy in action across Government include:
- Healthier meals for primary school pupils across the Island. Improved menus support the wellbeing of children and reflect consultation with parents, carers and pupils plus engagement with caterers, producers, suppliers and a registered dietitian
- Faster access to mental health services for young people. The waiting list has been halved from 1,181 in July 2024 to 599 and the milestone reflects a strong commitment to early intervention and mental health support
- Easing the transition for pupils starting secondary school. Continuing a programme of activities, including full-day visits to a new school during the summer term, are designed to reduce pupil anxiety and ensure Year 6 learning is uninterrupted
- Support for children to help reduce the trauma of separation from a parent in prison. Isle of Man Prison is working to help families stay connected emotionally and to develop healthy parent-child relationships
- Improving children’s oral health. The expanded Smile of Mann supervised toothbrushing programme aims to prevent children from developing tooth decay and reduce the number general anaesthetics needed for tooth extractions.
The Child First policy is due to be formally received by Tynwald in October and has been published on the Register of Business. A child-friendly version is available at the same place.
The Child first policy can be viewed online.
The Child-friendly version can also be viewed online.
https://www.unicef.org/child-rights-convention/convention-text-childrens-version