Latest news with #RichardVibert
BBC News
27-05-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
Jersey 20mph zone to be extended as scared mum welcomes change
The 20mph speed limit in St Peter's village is going to be extended, with a Jersey mother welcoming the change - saying she was scared for her children's lives while crossing the Peter's Constable Richard Vibert said the end of the 20mph zone on La Grande Route de St Pierre would be moved to beyond the Marks and said the change had been agreed after a traffic review and would be introduced "in the next few months".Jenna Weber welcomed the change after her "really scary" experience but said authorities needed to do more to make the area safe. 'Unsafe situation' Ms Weber and her family live on La Grande Route de St Pierre near where the speed limit changes from 20mph to said she was crossing the road to get to M&S when a large vehicle came speeding around the corner before braking just metres away from her and her said: "Being in the middle of the road, already there wasn't much I could do, so I just frantically tried to make sure that everyone was safe and put myself in between the children and the vehicle."She said this was not an isolated incident and other residents had had similar experiences."It is a family village and people should feel like they can use the amenities and be able to walk through the village and not be scared," she said. Ms Weber said there had been times when she had driven less than 100m because she was too frightened to cross the road with her said the extension of the 20mph zone was "something" but added greater traffic calming measures should be considered, such as speed humps, zebra crossings and give way said people did not obey the current speed limit, which made it an "unsafe situation"."I don't want it to take for something to happen with a child walking to school or a villager walking to the shops for something to be considered and put in place," she said further traffic controls were particularly important because of plans to build nearly 130 more homes in the parish. In response to Ms Weber's concerns, the infrastructure department said it could not add a pedestrian crossing because the existing right turn for traffic into the retail and business area needed to be "retained in its current format".It said: "It caters for a significant number of right-turning vehicles throughout the day."Provision of any crossing would cause the right-hand turn lane to be too small for traffic."It also said it could not add more pavement to the road because it was too narrow. Vibert said he was just as concerned as residents by traffic issues in St Peter's said he had spoken with successive infrastructure ministers about traffic controls but had only recently had "a little bit of success".He said the extension of the 20mph zone should happen relatively quickly as the infrastructure minister had plans to implement it using a ministerial said traffic engineers were also looking at controls for the roads next to the proposed housing development and there were plans for pedestrian crossings nearby, however not near the M& said the infrastructure department needed to do some "more hard work" on creating safe areas for people to cross the main road. Kate Huntington, who runs the Better Journeys initiative in Jersey, which encourages people to leave their cars at home and find other ways to work or school, said that when she began cycling regularly, or walking along some island roads, she found it dangerous and scary."I had so many near misses," she added motorists needed to understand that vulnerable road users had a right to be there, and pedestrians and cyclists also needed to take up said dropping speed limits across the island could also make pedestrians and cyclists feel said: "We shouldn't have areas where it's not safe to leave your house unless you are in a car, that's not right, that's not the right way to live."Because they aren't going anywhere but they don't need to dominate our infrastructure."
BBC News
22-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Jersey foster carer has looked after 31 children in eight years
A foster carer who has provided homes to 31 children over the past eight years, wants more people to consider opening their Le Vesconte said for prospective foster carers "as long as you've got room in your home and room in your heart, you're going to be brilliant at it". She spoke to the BBC as part of the Foster Care Fortnight awareness campaign. Constable Richard Vibert, the Minister for Children and Families, said he was looking for 'another 12' foster carers to make up a current shortage on the island. 'Busy, hectic at times' Ms Les Vesconte said: "It's been a fairly busy household, hectic at times, but really good, really fulfilling, thoroughly enjoyable."We've looked after children from one day old to 17 years old and various ages in between."She said: "We're at the point where we've been fostering so long, and we've had so many children come through that I can't imagine not fostering."We love a busy household, and we just have the feeling that the more children that we can help, the better that the family unit runs. We really enjoy what we do."Ms Les Vesconte said: "We have an open door policy, and we still have people who rock up on a Sunday afternoon for a Sunday roast."She said: "It's difficult to say goodbye, but you know that you've given that child the best preparation you can give them for moving on with their life, that's the thing that keeps you going and helps you move on to the next child that comes through." As part of Foster Care Fortnight, the Government of Jersey has been holding a series of pop-ups to encourage people to said there's currently a shortage in foster carers in the island: "We need another twelve. We have four currently going through training and so we probably need another eight more."We have children in care homes at the moment, but fostering gives the child so much more. There's benefit to the child and parent."A child learns about family life, builds a relationship, even if that's just for a few weeks, it makes a great deal of difference to the start of their life."The reward is seeing a child growing up, or being able to help a child. It brings an immense amount of satisfaction to people. I have the greatest admiration for foster carers."
BBC News
14-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Delays to same sex parental rights law in Jersey criticised
A lack of progress in bringing same-sex parental rights into law has been a child may only have up to two legal parents and, unless the child is adopted, one of the parents will always be the birth mother, meaning, in same sex-couples, only one parent can be on the birth certificate. The Draft Children and Civil status law in 2024 will allow both same-sex parents to be on a birth certificate, but the government also wants to bring a draft abolition of legitimacy law at the same Louise Doublet said she supported getting rid of illegitimacy, but it had held up other legislation. Minister Richard Vibert said it was "crucial" for both laws to come in together. Doublet said the establishment of same-sex parental rights was being held up after ministers said they would be "fully functioning by the end of 2024".She said: "I feel the LGBTQ+ community has been waiting for same-sex parental rights for so many years that we shouldn't be delaying that law to wait for another law to be ready."This is about children's human rights. Some children don't have both their parents named on their birth certificate, and that is a basic human right every child should have."Many of our members in the LGBTQ+ community have been waiting nearly a decade for these laws to be completed. It has to be brought in urgently." 'Possible, but not wise' Vibert, Minister for Children and Families, said it was possible to launch the laws separately but it would "not be wise to do so".He said: "It might be possible, but you are then left with situation where the child could be born as illegitimate and I think that is why it's crucial to bring both parts of the legislation together."Staff have worked hard to bring the Legitimacy Act forward and to bring it into force at the same time as the Children and Civil Status Law."I think it is very important that, when bringing the Children and Civil Status Law, we are in the position when no child in this island can be born and classed as illegitimate in the future."
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Yahoo
'Swift action' needed to stop child exploitation
Police, politicians and those who work with young people are asking what can be learnt from a case in Jersey where children were used to deliver drugs. Five adults involved in hiding drugs inside toys and posting them were sentenced on Wednesday and during the court case it was revealed more than 40 children in the island were involved. Constable Richard Vibert, Jersey's Minister for Children and Families, said the case should encourage people to speak out, while the Chief of Police Robin Smith said "if it's a shock to people, that's a good thing". Children's charities said everyone has a role to play in spotting the signs of exploitation and "taking swift action". The Royal Court heard children as young as 12 were threatened and manipulated to help distribute drugs across Jersey. The court was told the children were part of a network that sent £1.8m worth of drugs hidden inside teddies and other toys in the post. Vibert said the case highlighted "the degree to which we have exploitation of young people in our island. "I would hope that it would encourage children to have the confidence if they've been exploited or are still being exploited, to speak to someone that they can trust." Appearing on the Hot Seat on BBC Radio Jersey, Mr Smith praised the action of the community. He said: "It is about prevention, and informing parents like you and me about the signs to look out for. "You should feel worried, but you should be reassured. "What I find that gives me real reassurance is that when things happen, people come together, people mobilise." Young people's charity The Children's Society described such exploitation as "hugely traumatic" and capable of having "a devastating impact on the child's life". The charity's national programme manager, James Simmonds-Read, said: "Everyone has a role to play in spotting the signs of exploitation and taking swift action to get help, even if they're unsure. "From shop workers to taxi drivers, hotel receptionists and daily commuters, taking action could protect children and young people from abuse and lifelong trauma." Follow BBC Jersey on X and Facebook. Send your story ideas to Drugs hidden inside teddies sent to child mules Government of Jersey The Children's Society
BBC News
01-04-2025
- Health
- BBC News
'Significant' demand in young people's care in Jersey
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) in Jersey worked with almost 2,000 children and young people last year, according to an annual service said it had seen "a significant and challenging level" of demand, working with 1,949 children in this, the report shows Jersey has one of the quickest services, with initial assessments completed within four Minister for Children and Families, Connétable Richard Vibert said CAMHS "continues to be extremely busy and in-demand". The report also shows the number of referrals decreased from 1,351 in 2023 to 1,145 in service also had an "unprecedented demand" of 1,449 requests for referral for neurodevelopmental assessments over the last two government gave CAMHS an extra £400,000 to commission private contractors to do some of the assessments. 'Not alone' Mr Vibert added: "I hope, as an island, we continue to work collectively to create an environment where every child and young person feels empowered to seek help, share their experiences, and know they are not alone. "Together, we will continue to work hard to build a healthier, more resilient future for all."There are plans to extend the duty service from 08:00 to 20:00 BST seven days a week from April, after a soft launch earlier this year.A dedicated space for young people who need inpatient mental health support was opened in orchard ward in St Saviour Hospital last year.
