Children in Wales Launches Call for Champions for Children Ahead of 2026 Senedd Election

We’ve launched our new manifesto – Champions for Children: A Manifesto for Babies, Children and Young People in advance of the Senedd Elections 2026 – and we’re calling on every political party and candidate to make children a top priority.

As a coalition of children’s organisations working across Wales, we believe that the wellbeing, rights and voices of babies, children and young people must be at the heart of political decision-making.

At the heart of our manifesto is a simple but powerful pledge for candidates to make a clear commitment:

"I will be a Champion for Children during and after the 2026 Senedd election."

We want to see every politician and political party during the election campaign and throughout the next Senedd term to be strong and committed Champions for Children, serving to defend their rights and wellbeing, and providing opportunities to hear their views to inform all decisions which will affect them.

We want to see every political party and every candidate to become strong and committed Champions for Children throughout the election campaign and across the next Senedd term – standing up for children’s rights and wellbeing and creating genuine opportunities for them to be heard in decisions that shape their lives.

This is an opportunity for politicians to lead with determination and courage, to inspire a generation and to build a better Wales for every child.

Read the manifesto here.

Follow the conversation online using #ChampionsForChildren

Do you share our vision? We are gathering endorsements from member and partner organisations who share our vision and would be delighted if your organisation would be willing to support our shared manifesto. Together we can ensure that babies, children and young people are at the heart of future decision-making. Please contact info@childreninwales.org for more information.