The Best Interest Principle.

The Best Interest Principle: Safeguarding Three Essential Conversation Rights of Children

Recognising the importance of safeguarding children and young people, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) was established to outline the fundamental rights that all children should have. Among these rights, the principle of "best interest" stands as a guiding force in safeguarding the welfare of children in various aspects of their lives. In this article, we will explore the concept of best interest and its significance in protecting three crucial conversation rights of children.

I’ve recently started watching ‘Best Interests’ on BBC iPlayer it’s about Andrew and Nicci's daughter, Marnie, has a life-threatening condition. The doctors believe it is in her best interests to be allowed to die, but her loving family disagree. And so begins a fight that will take them through every stage of a legal process, as they struggle to contemplate this huge decision. It's a story of a family driven apart by having to make choices no parent would ever want to make.

It has made me reflect back on some of topics we discussed at university and also some of the conversations I had as a kid with my mum.

I remember on a couple of occasions asking my mum if she knew about my medical condition, and the chronic pain I now live with would she still of had me. Because as a kid I saw the term best interests being used by doctors and I thought at times it would be in my best interests if I just didn’t exist.

Right to Be Heard:

Every child deserves to have their voice heard, regardless of age, race, gender, or background. The right to be heard emphasised the importance of involving children in decision-making processes that affect their lives. The best interest principle ensures that children are given opportunities to express their opinions, concerns, and preferences, and that these perspectives are taken into account when making choices that impact them directly or indirectly.

Growing up with a disability the medical model, which is the approach used by healthcare to ‘fix’ the problem which is often attached to a person. And it can at times lead to policy, procedure and stuff written in textbooks taken with greater importance than the voice of the child and unfair reality that shouldn’t exist.

By considering the child's viewpoint, we create an environment that fosters their autonomy, self-esteem, and overall well-being. It encourages active participation, empowering children to develop a sense of agency and responsibility for their own lives. The best interest principle, therefore, serves as a crucial framework for promoting and protecting the right of every child to be heard.

In the show we see the contrasting views of the medical professionals who believe that letting Marnie to pass away peacefully. And both parents having conflicting views, one siding with the views of the hospital staff the other wanting people to stop doubting the strength and determination of Marnie to keep going. The problem that the show highlights is that all involved, are acting in the best interests of Marnie but how this looks in reality it’s different based on each person’s beliefs on what they think is right.

In the show the social worker has a discussion with the father of Marnie and he asks Andrew to to describe the story, the journey they had been on that led to this moment in time. What the show does throughout is look back at these moments described by Andrew and thought about by different individuals to better understand the beliefs of all involved as to what they think is is the best interests of Marnie.

in the final moments of tonight’s episode Marnie’s sister has a conversation with a doctor about how difficult the situation is, one saying to the other how hard it is on one another. Marnie’s sister then in response to a comment by the doctor about how it’s not about picking sides says yes it is, and I’m on Marnie’s side.

The best interest principle serves as a vital framework for safeguarding the conversation rights of children, including their right to be heard, their right to privacy, and their right to access information. By upholding these rights, we create an environment that respects and values children's perspectives, fosters their autonomy and well-being, and enables them to contribute to decisions that impact their lives.

"Best Interests" offers a poignant portrayal of the challenges faced by families in making decisions that profoundly affect their children's lives. It reminds us of the ethical dilemmas, emotional struggles, and differing perspectives that can arise in these situations. Through the lens of the best interest principle, we can strive to ensure that children's voices are heard, their privacy is protected, and they are equipped with the information they need to be active participants in decisions that shape their futures.