Aims and Objectives

Our vision is of a society in which children and young people contribute, are valued, and their rights respected.

Our mission is to improve children and young people's experiences and life chances, reducing the impact of inequalities.

We have six key aims to achieve by 2015:

Aim 1: Reduce inequalities of opportunity in childhood
NCB will undertake research, policy influencing and practice development in partnership and with the participation of children and young people. By 2015:

1. We will support  a greater use of research,  practice evidence and products, which are known to be effective and target inequality in early years, disability, education and learning, play, vulnerable children and health and well-being.
2. We will have identified areas of inequality of opportunity and promoted effective ways to narrow the gap in children and young people's outcomes, including addressing issues that arise from children and young people's position in society and conditions that they experience

Aim 2: Ensure children and young people can use their voice to improve their lives and the lives of those around them
Through a range of children and young people's groups NCB will provide opportunities for their involvement in identifying and addressing inequalities through research, policy and practice. By 2015:

1. We will see an increase in children and young people being involved and having their voices heard in for example, health, youth justice and education,
2. We will have developed an evidence base of how engagement with NCB has improved the lives of a cohort of young people (YNCB)

Aim 3: Improve perceptions of children and young people
NCB public relations, policy and media activity will include consideration of how we address negative and historical perceptions; involve young people, support positive communication and build cross generational understanding. By 2015:

1. We will have increased year on year the positive images and messaging about children and young people generated through NCB public relations, policy and media work.
2. We will have improved the image of specific groups of vulnerable children and young people.

Aim 4: Enhance the health, learning, experiences and opportunities of children and young people
In order to improve children and young people's experiences and quality of life NCB will work to ensure that policy and practice are child-centred, support participation and reflect the needs and experiences of at risk and disadvantaged children and young people.
By 2015:

1. We will have supported improved access to services and activities that have an impact on children and young people's lives.
2.  We will see a greater use of evidence based products promoted by NCB to raise awareness of practitioners in meeting children and young people's needs and aspirations
3. We will work to promote and improve the wellbeing, of children and young people, targeting key issues in health, relationships, learning and opportunities,  contributing to narrowing the gap and improving aspirations and opportunities

Aim 5: Encourage the building of positive and supportive relationships for children and young people with families, carers, friends and communities
NCB continues to work across practice and service improvement, with children and young people and through partnerships, including the development of demonstration programmes. By 2015:

1. We will have gathered and disseminated evidence about effective workforce development and how that supports relationships between agencies; between frontline workers and the children, young people and families they support,
2. We will have improved uptake and engagement with programmes which engage with local communities, are sensitive to local needs and priorities and show evidence of their impact

Aim 6: Provide leadership through the use of evidence and research to improve policy and practice
NCB continues to act as a partner, co-ordinator, sector leader and honest broker working as an innovator in practice and service development and an evidence informed thought leader. By 2015:

1. We will have consolidated our influence on areas that impact on children and young people who are vulnerable, disadvantaged and/or through involvement in policy and development groups. 
2. We will be viewed by the children and young people's sector (statutory, voluntary, private and membership) as an innovator in practice and service development and an evidence informed thought leader.