UK research projects

Coram Children's Legal Centre undertakes research and consultancy in the areas of child rights and child law and policy in the UK.

Latest reports

Navigating the System: Advice provision for young refugees and migrants

This report by the Migrant Children's Project looks at the complex administrative and legal processes that separated children and young people have to navigate and the range of professionals who can offer advice and guidance to them. The report finds that many legal advice and support services are under strain, facing serious financial challenges and an uncertain future, putting these children and young people at risk. Published May 2012.
Full report
Report summary

Past research

The Right to Education in England

This research project analysed the implementation of the right to education in England. The research was submitted as an alternative report to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child, to be used by the Committee in conducting its periodic review of the UK Government in September 2008.

The report identified a number of key areas where the government had failed to implement the right to education in England, and made a number of recommendations for improving the implementation of the right to education in England.

Protection of Child Victims of Sexual Abuse

Child victims experience unique concerns and challenges at all stages of the criminal process. In 2010, the Children's Legal Centre completed a research project on the protection of child victims, which arose out of participation in a two-year, EU-funded multi-country project aimed at establishing best practice in meeting the needs of child victims and witnesses. The project was coordinated by La Voix De l'Enfant.

Complaints from Children: The New Police Complaints Procedure

In 2006, the research team completed a research project on complaints from children to the Independent Police Complaints Commission. Prior to this research, very little attention had been paid to the unique situation of child complainants or to the issues which arise for children in making complaints against police officers.

Bullying in Schools in England

In 2006, the Children's Legal Centre conducted a review of the complaints procedure for children being bullied at schools in England, on behalf of 11 Million (now the Office of the Children's Commissioner).

Child Impact Assessments

Having issued a comprehensive briefing in response to the Children Bill, the Children's Legal Centre, together with the National Children's Bureau, undertook Child Impact Assessments on legislative proposals affecting children between October 2004 and September 2006.