Senior leaders of Rochdale Borough Council have this week signed a pledge affirming their commitment to respecting and protecting children in our communities.
Senior leaders of Rochdale Borough Council have this week signed a pledge affirming their commitment to respecting and protecting children in our communities.
This follows concerns raised at the last full council in July by Councillors Kathryn Bromfield and Rachel Massey, about the use of harmful and stigmatising language in public forums to describe children in care and those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
After notable reports in other parts of the country, local councillors voted to affirm the use of respectful, inclusive and non-stigmatising language when talking publicly about younger residents, particularly those supported by children’s services.
The pledge, signed by senior figures including the leader of the council and the chief executive, reiterates that children and young people living in the borough deserve to be spoken about with dignity, respect, compassion and hope.
Councillor Rachel Massey (left); with Councillor Kathryn Bromfield (right); holding the pledge.
Leader of the council, Councillor Neil Emmott, said:
“We all deserve to be spoken about with dignity and care, especially our children and young people, and as leaders, it is important we set a strong example of what language is acceptable.
“As we’ve seen in other places, the wrong choice of words or language can often be very hurtful and disrespectful to others.
“It can also be divisive and isolate people of different backgrounds, which is why this pledge is so significant as it shows to others that this council really values respectful and inclusive communication.
“We’re not just affirming how we speak, we’re pledging to how we will lead.”
As part of the wider motion that was brought forward, councillors also agreed that the council would work with partners to produce an annual ‘language charter’ and a training programme for elected members which is now running.
The programme extends awareness about the experience of children in care, the understanding of SEND and neurodiversity and the council’s trauma-informed leadership in public service.
Councillor Kathryn Bromfield, who is also the independent chair of the SEND Stakeholder Forum, said
"It is essential that we, as elected members, model the language we want everyone to use – treating people with respect and dignity should be a given.”
Councillor Rachel Massey, portfolio holder for children’s services and education, added:
“We are incredibly proud of our children and young people and in the achievements they make every single day of the year as residents of our borough.
“From the personal milestones they overcome in life to their academic accomplishments, we are their champions and it’s vital our language reflects that and the pride we have for them, especially those who face the highest levels of inequality.
“The way we speak about children shapes the way they see themselves, and in the way that society sees them too, so it’s imperative we set a precedent for everyone to be spoken of with respect.”
The council will also be writing to the Local Government Association (LGA) and urging them to embed respectful language and safeguarding-aware communication into their national councillor induction and leadership development programmes.