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Know Your Rights in Care!

Developed by care-experienced young people for care-experienced young people

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Know Your Rights in Care is a rights-based creative project and resource developed by children and young people in care.

Alongside artist Dani Gill, with funding from the Department of Children, Disability and Equality, the project supports children and young people to understand their rights under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and what those rights mean in everyday life.

The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) outlines the rights that children across the world have and sets out what governments must do to ensure that children everywhere have a good life.

Read the Summary
Read the Full Text

Why is it important to know your rights?

Knowing your rights can help you:

  • Know what you can expect while you are in care.
  • Understand the decisions being made about your life.
  • Have your voice heard.
  • Ask questions and get answers.
  • Speak up if something doesn’t feel right.
  • Feel more confident and informed.
  • Know where to go for support.
  • Understand that your rights should always be respected.

Hear Me Out!

Hear Me Out is a card game designed by children and young people in care to help others learn about their rights in a fun and engaging way.

The game features 20 cards, including 18 rights from the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, chosen by young people themselves. Each right is paired with a unique symbol to make it easy to recognise and remember.

Download and Play

Know Your Rights in Care!

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Know Your Rights in Care Art Project

As part of the Know Your Rights in Care project, young people from the EPIC Care Community worked with artist Dani Gill to create a collection of artworks inspired by children’s rights.

Through a series of creative workshops, young people experimented with clay, paint, yarn, LEGO and wood to create artworks inspired by children’s rights. Each piece offers a different interpretation of rights under the UNCRC, bringing young people’s ideas, experiences and creativity to life through a wide range of artistic styles and mediums.

To view artwork titles, artists, materials and descriptions, click the button below.

Exhibition Labels
Colourful string-art display with a tag reading “To Help Others”.
Black and silver chess set with labels on each chess piece.
Wooden sculpture pieces painted silver and labelled “Policy Maker”, “Tusla”, and “Granny”, displayed as part of an artwork.
Two abstract canvases hang on a dark grey wall. The painting on the left features layers of light blue, white, black, and turquoise brushstrokes surrounding a dark circular centre. The painting on the right uses green, yellow, brown, and black tones in energetic, overlapping brushstrokes that evoke dense foliage or natural textures.
A sculpted white head mounted on a wire mesh stand is displayed on a clear acrylic pedestal. A light purple fabric covers the top portion of the head. An accompanying card identifies the artwork as “Inside” and notes that it is made from clay, foam, paint, wood, and metal. Colourful bunting and a white radiator are visible in the background. A close-up image shows the textured surface of the head sculpture in greater detail.
A mixed-media artwork displayed on a purple and orange pedestal features a winding grey road with white lane markings and yellow edges. Small toy building blocks, miniature vehicles, and scattered pieces line both sides of the road. A display card identifies the piece as “My Journey Through Care” and describes it as representing a young person’s emotional journey through care. A close-up view highlights the painted road and colourful block elements.
Soft blue abstract painting with layered tones and scattered white speckles resembling stars or paint splashes.
Purple canvas featuring a large red circular symbol with black markings
Four people outdoors holding large children's rights cards and a sign for the Hear Me Out! card game.
Colourful educational cards are arranged across a dark green tabletop. Each card illustrates a different children’s rights article with simple icons and short descriptions. Visible cards include Article 14 (Freedom of religion), Article 16 (Protection of privacy) with a yellow padlock icon, Article 17 (Access to information) with a bell icon, and Article 19 (Protection from violence) with a prohibition symbol. Additional cards featuring equality, participation, and education themes are scattered around the display.
Two EPIC staff members wearing name badges and rainbow lanyards stand side by side.
One artist in the foreground holds a document while speaking with two attendees wearing name badges.
Event attendee and artist discussing their art piece.

Exhibition and Resource Launch

The Know Your Rights in Care Art Exhibition and resources officially launched on 16 July 2025 at The Gaff, Limerick.

The launch brought together young people, project partners, supporters and community stakeholders. Visitors had the opportunity to explore the exhibition, learn more about children’s rights and celebrate the voices, creativity and achievements of the young artists involved.

Read more about the project

This project was funded by