A/HRC/7/8 page 12 meaningful life. Recognizing the risks children face in their home environment is essential to any assessment of health needs and to assess options for integration and reintegration planning. The health and safety of all residents and staff in any shelter are also of the utmost importance; − Psychological assistance: Each shelter should have staff responsible for direct psychological assistance. International standards, such as the Convention of the Rights of the Child, state that children should be given the right to express their views freely on all matters concerning them, and their “views should be given due weight in accordance with the age and maturity of the child” (art. 12). Practitioners must provide full information at a level a child can comprehend to allow the child to participate in decisions affecting her/his well-being and the children’s views must be taken seriously. It is also important to inform them about their rights and their obligations vis-à-vis other residents of the shelter; − Interviews: It is important to find out as much as possible about the child’s case prior to the interview, to make clear and friendly introductions and to create a space that is safe and comfortable for conversation. Discussions with children about sexual abuse are best carried out by professionals or by an individual with whom the child has already established a strong rapport; − Education: Learning and education is one of the cornerstones of child development. It is necessary to begin fostering learning by offering educational classes, tutorials, or entering children in local school programmes (when safe and appropriate); − Recreational activities: Shelters should plan daily recreational activities for the residents, which will give them the opportunity to work with others fellow residents, make constructive tasks, regularize sleeping hours, etc. Physical exercise enhances fitness, body control and confidence. Arts and crafts activities are therapeutic, foster skills and, like sports activities, enable children to interact with other children in a healthy environment. 41. When deciding to establish these services in the form of a shelter, some material aspects should also be provided: − Kitchen and dining area: food preparation and serving areas should be adequate to ensure safe food preparation and storage; − Group living area: there should be enough space for groups of residents to congregate and engage in activities; − Bathroom facilities: toilets, washing and bathing facilities should be clean, in good repair, and available in sufficient numbers; − Sleeping facilities: there should be adequate sleeping space, sufficient number of beds in good repair, clean bed linen, and a place to store the clothing and personal items;