Sectoral Conference on Childhood and Adolescence

The Sectoral Conference on Childhood and Adolescence, within the framework established in articles 147 to 152 of Law 40/2015, of October 1, on the Legal Regime of the Public Sector, is the cooperation body between the General State Administration, the Autonomous Communities, the Autonomous Cities of Ceuta and Melilla, and the Local Administration, through the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces, in the implementation of policies for the protection and development of childhood and adolescence.

The Sectoral Conference will be headquartered in the Ministry of Youth and Childhood, which will also provide whatever is necessary for the proper functioning of the services, technical support to the members of the Sectoral Conference, and management of its Secretariat.  

Report of the Sectoral Conference on Childhood and Adolescence 2025

Report of the Sectoral Conference on Childhood and Adolescence 2024
 

Purposes

The purpose of the Sectoral Conference is to develop cooperation, coordination, and collaboration between public administrations in the protection and development of the rights of children and adolescents, and to achieve maximum coherence and integration in the application of decisions adopted in this area, without prejudice to the work carried out by other sectoral conferences.

In general terms

Pursue the coherence and complementarity of activities carried out by public administrations in the field of protection and development of the rights of children and adolescents.      
Achieve a higher degree of effectiveness and efficiency in the identification, formulation, and execution of policies, programs, and projects promoted by the various public administrations in the field of childhood and adolescence.

Participate in the preparation, development, and monitoring of state plans and programs that are articulated for the execution of policies that integrate the scope of action of protection and development policies for children and adolescents, as well as monitor and evaluate the execution of existing regulations and plans.

Be informed about draft laws and regulations of the Government of the Nation or the Governing Councils of the Autonomous Communities when they directly affect the competence of other Public Administrations or when so provided in the applicable sectoral regulations, either through its Plenary or through the Sectoral Commission or the working group mandated for this purpose.

Establish and promote specific cooperation strategies and plans between public administrations in the corresponding sectoral matter, seeking the elimination of duplications, and achieving better efficiency of public services.

Exchange information on actions programmed by the various Public Administrations, in the exercise of their competencies, that may affect other Administrations.

Serve as a channel for coordination with public entities for the protection of children in relation to children's rights policies, to consult them on these matters and to adopt agreements, if applicable.

Set the objective criteria that will serve as the basis for the territorial distribution of affected budgetary credits and monitor the programs developed by the Autonomous Communities with charge to these credits, as well as their distribution at the beginning of the fiscal year, in accordance with the provisions of Law 47/2003, of November 26, General Budgetary.

Establish mechanisms for exchanging best practices and information for studies, especially statistical content, surveys, research, and national campaigns to be carried out in relation to the protection and development of the rights of children and adolescents.

Provide information to the autonomous communities on international treaties and actions of international organizations in the field of protection and development of the rights of children and adolescents.

Analyze and make proposals on those issues that require the adoption of agreements by the General State Administration with Public Entities, under the provisions of the International Adoption Law.

Approve the distribution of the maximum number of international adoption files and the basic model of standardized contract between accredited bodies and persons offering for adoption.

Any others that contribute to ensuring the necessary cooperation, coherence, and effectiveness and, where appropriate, the articulation of the activity of the different administrative levels.

Specific in the field of comprehensive protection of children and adolescents against violence

 The participation of Public Administrations in the preparation of the Strategy for the Eradication of Violence against Children and Adolescents, which will be promoted by the ministerial department with competencies in childhood policies, in line with the Spanish Strategy for the Rights of Children and Adolescents.

The submission to the Government of the proposal for approval of the Strategy for the Eradication of Violence against Children and Adolescents, which will be accompanied by an economic report in which the competent centers will identify the budgetary applications from which it will be financed.

Agree on the necessary means to guarantee the effective exercise of the rights provided for in Title I of Organic Law 8/2021, of June 4, on Comprehensive Protection of Children and Adolescents against Violence.

Agree on the requirements and conditions to ensure the existence and support of electronic communication means, such as free helplines for girls, boys, and adolescents, as well as their awareness by civil society.

Agree on appropriate mechanisms to ensure the confidentiality, protection, and security of people who have reported situations of violence against children and adolescents to the authorities.

Agree on specific, evidence-based information campaigns and actions aimed at raising society's awareness of the right of children and adolescents to receive good treatment, as well as specific awareness campaigns to promote safe and responsible use of the Internet, from an approach of taking advantage of opportunities and its positive use, incorporating the perspective and opinions of the children and adolescents themselves.

Establish prevention plans and programs for the eradication of violence against children and adolescents that will include specific measures in the family, educational, health, social services, new technologies, sports and leisure, and Security Forces and Corps fields, within the framework of the strategy for the eradication of violence against children and adolescents.

Participate in the preparation, development, and monitoring of initial and ongoing training programs aimed at professionals whose activity requires regular contact with children and adolescents to detect early violence against them and that this violence can be communicated in accordance with the provisions of articles 15 and 16 of Organic Law 8/2021, of June 4, on Comprehensive Protection of Children and Adolescents against Violence.

Agree on recommendations that guarantee children and adolescents victims of violent crimes and, in any case, crimes of a sexual nature, trafficking, or gender violence comprehensive care for their recovery through specialized services.

Any others that contribute to ensuring the development of Organic Law 8/2021, of June 4, on Comprehensive Protection of Children and Adolescents against Violence, as well as to agree on the necessary measures to ensure its effective execution and implementation.

 

Composition

The Sectoral Conference on Childhood and Adolescence will be structured in the following bodies:

  • The Plenary.
  • The Sectoral Commission on Childhood and Adolescence, as a general support and advisory body.
  • The Working Groups that are constituted.

Regulation of operation of the Sectoral Conference on Childhood and Adolescence

The Plenary
  1. The Plenary of the Sectoral Conference on Childhood and Adolescence is constituted by:
    1. Presidency: it will correspond to the person holding the Ministry of Youth and Childhood, who also holds the Presidency of the Sectoral Conference.
    2. First Vice-Presidency: one of the persons holding the Ministries of the Autonomous Communities and the Cities of Ceuta and Melilla.
    3. Second Vice-Presidency: the person holding the High Commissioner against Child Poverty.
    4. Members:
      1. The persons holding the Ministries of the Autonomous Communities that have been assigned competencies in the field of protection and development policies for children and adolescents;
      2. A representative from each of the Basque Provincial Councils designated by them, one from each of the Councils of the Balearic Islands, and one from each island council, with voice but no vote.
      3. A representative, with at least the rank of director general, from the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Equality, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, and the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training, with voice but no vote.
      4. The person holding the Directorate General for the Rights of Children and Adolescents, with voice but no vote.
      5. The persons holding the General Directorates of the Youth Institute, Family Diversity and Social Services, Rights of Persons with Disabilities, with voice but no vote.
      6. A representative of the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces, who must be an elected official.
      7. Secretariat: the person holding the Technical General Secretariat of the Ministry of Youth and Childhood, with voice but no vote.
The Sectoral Commission on Childhood and Adolescence
  1. The Sectoral Commission is composed of:
    1. On behalf of the General State Administration: the person holding the Secretariat of State for Youth and Childhood and the person holding the Chief of Staff of the Secretariat of State for Youth and Childhood.
    2. On behalf of the Autonomous Communities and the Autonomous Cities of Ceuta and Melilla: a representative from each of them with at least the rank of head of the General Subdirectorate responsible for childhood and adolescence.
    3. Additionally, a representative designated by the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces will attend the sessions of the Sectoral Commission.
  2. The Presidency may convene, extraordinarily, on its own initiative or at the proposal of any of the members of the Commission, senior officials of the Ministry of Youth and Childhood, other ministerial departments, and other Public Administrations, with voice but no vote, when the nature of the matters to be discussed justifies or advises their presence.
  3. The Presidency of the Sectoral Commission corresponds to the person holding the Secretariat of State for Youth and Childhood, who may be replaced, in cases of absence, vacancy, or illness, by the person holding the Chief of Staff of the Secretariat of State for Youth and Childhood.
  4. The Secretariat of the Sectoral Commission will be assumed, with voice but no vote, by the person holding the Directorate General for the Rights of Children and Adolescents, who may be replaced, in cases of absence, vacancy, or illness, by a public employee of the Secretariat of State for Youth and Childhood designated by the person holding the Secretariat of State for Youth and Childhood. Additionally, the person holding the Undersecretariat of the Ministry of Youth and Childhood, or its dependent bodies, may attend the meetings when the matter to be discussed falls within their competence.
  5. The Sectoral Commission will be validly constituted when the persons holding the Presidency and the Secretariat and at least the majority of the representatives of the Autonomous Communities and Autonomous Cities of Ceuta and Melilla are present.
  6. Both the representatives of the General State Administration and those of the Autonomous Communities may be assisted at each meeting, with voice but no vote, by technical or expert personnel on the topics to be discussed designated by them.

Article 13. Functions

  1. The Sectoral Commission will exercise the following functions:
    1. The preparation of the meetings of the Sectoral Conference for which it will address the issues included in the agenda of the call.
    2. The monitoring of the agreements adopted by the Sectoral Conference.
    3. The monitoring and evaluation of the constituted Working Groups.
    4. Any other functions entrusted to it by the Sectoral Conference.
  2. The Sectoral Commission will meet in any case prior to the meetings of the Sectoral Conference on Childhood and Adolescence, without prejudice to the fact that it may be convened more frequently to strengthen cooperation between the General State Administration and the Autonomous Communities in the field of protection and development policies for children and adolescents.
  3. The Sectoral Commission on Childhood and Adolescence will be governed, as far as applicable, by the procedural rules provided for the Sectoral Conference.

 

Agreements

Year 2024

Update of the Statistical Data Bulletin on Protection Measures for Children and Adolescents (BOLETINF) (December 3, 2024)

Agreement on territorial distribution between the Autonomous Communities and the Cities of Ceuta and Melilla (except the Basque Country and Navarra) of the credit allocated for the care of unaccompanied migrant children and adolescents in the General State Budgets for the year 2024, amounting to 35 million euros. (October 1, 2024)

Proposal for territorial distribution between the Autonomous Communities (except the Basque Country and Navarra) and the city of Ceuta of the second part of the credit allocated for financing in 2024 for the care of unaccompanied migrant children and adolescents, amounting to 20 million euros. (July 10, 2024)

Proposal for territorial distribution to the Autonomous Communities (except the Basque Country and Navarra) and the cities of Ceuta and Melilla of the credit allocated for financing in 2024 for the care of unaccompanied migrant children and adolescents amounting to 15 million euros. (June 11, 2024)

Year 2023

Approval of the Agreement on territorial distribution to the Autonomous Communities (except the Basque Country and Navarra) and the city of Ceuta of the second distribution of the credit allocated for financing in 2023 for the care of unaccompanied migrant children and adolescents amounting to 20 million euros. (December 12, 2023)

Proposal for territorial distribution to the Autonomous Communities (except the Basque Country and Navarra) and the city of Ceuta of the second distribution of the credit allocated for financing in 2023 for the care of unaccompanied migrant children and adolescents amounting to 20 million euros. (October 11, 2023)

Proposal for agreement to modify the Agreement of the Sectoral Conference on Childhood and Adolescence of December 13, 2022 authorizing the proposal for territorial distribution of funds, amounting to 50 million euros, for training in digital skills for children and adolescents in vulnerable situations, for the communities and autonomous cities eligible to benefit under the 'Digital Skills for Childhood (CODI)' program of the Recovery, Transformation, and Resilience Plan. (October 11, 2023)

Conformity to the proposal for submission to the Council of Ministers of the draft State Strategy for the Rights of Children and Adolescents 2023-2030. (March 29, 2023)

Agreement on approval of the "Proposal for territorial distribution to the Autonomous Community of the Canary Islands and the cities of Ceuta and Melilla of the first distribution of the credit allocated for financing in 2023 for the care of unaccompanied migrant children and adolescents amounting to 15 million euros". (March 29, 2023)

Year 2022

Agreement on approval of "Proposal for territorial distribution, amounting to 50 million euros, of funds for training in digital skills for children and adolescents in vulnerable situations, for the communities and autonomous cities eligible to benefit under the "Digital Skills for Childhood (CODI)" program of the Recovery, Transformation, and Resilience Plan". (December 13, 2022)

Agreement on "Approval of the territorial distribution between the autonomous communities (except the Basque Country and Navarra) and the autonomous city of Ceuta of the second distribution of the credit allocated for financing in 2022 for the care of unaccompanied migrant children and adolescents amounting to 20 million euros". (November 21, 2022)

Agreement on approval of the proposal for submission to the Council of Ministers of the draft "Strategy for the Eradication of Violence against Children and Adolescents". (November 8, 2022)

Agreement on approval of "Proposal for territorial distribution of funds for training in digital skills for children and adolescents in vulnerable situations, for the Communities and Autonomous Cities eligible to benefit under the "Digital Skills for Childhood (CODI)" program of the Recovery, Transformation, and Resilience Plan". (October 17, 2022)

Agreement on approval of the "Response Plan to the migration crisis for migrant minors 2022-2023 and proposal for territorial distribution of the second part of the budget credit of 20 million euros allocated for the care of unaccompanied migrant children and adolescents". (September 30, 2022)

Agreement on approval of the "Contingency Management Model for Unaccompanied Migrant Children and Adolescents". (September 30, 2022)

Agreement on approval of "Proposal for a technical collaboration/instrument protocol for the transfer of unaccompanied migrant children and adolescents between one autonomous community/city and another autonomous community/city,  in situations of migration contingency". (July 27, 2022)

Agreement on the action plan against the sexual exploitation of children and adolescents in the child protection system. (May 5, 2022)

Agreement on the distribution of the first distribution of the budget credit of 35 million euros allocated for the care of unaccompanied migrant children and adolescents. (March 9, 2022)

Year 2021

Agreement on the implementation plan of Organic Law 8/2021, of June 4, on Comprehensive Protection of Children and Adolescents against Violence. (November 15, 2021)

You can find information about the meetings of the Sectoral Conferences by accessing this website.