Child Participation

Children have the right to participate in matters affecting their lives and should be enabled to give their opinions, and to have those opinions taken into account. Through participation, children learn self-expression, empowerment and ultimately greater self-esteem.  Children are a diverse group and therefore children of different ages, abilities, backgrounds, races, and both genders should ideally be included in a consultation process.

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Robbie Gilligan, Stephanie Holt, Eavan Brady, Louise Caffrey,

This study reanalyzes interviews with 20 children in Ireland to explore their perspectives on participation in child protection processes involving their families. Findings show that while children often shared adult concerns, they viewed participation differently—particularly regarding risk, safety, stigma, and the need for ongoing dialogue—highlighting the importance of more child-centred approaches in practice.

Centre for Community Child Health and Murdoch Children’s Research Institute.,

The Voice of the Child toolkit is an evidence-based resource designed for researchers, service providers, clinicians, and others keen to involve children and young people in their work – whether they are just starting out or looking to expand their skills. Drawing on research, consultations, and best practice, this toolkit offers practical guidance for planning, designing, and implementing a process of involvement – whatever your context. 

UN Human Rights Council,

Vlad is a 13-year-old child rights advocate in the Republic of Moldova. Speaking at a United Nations Human Rights Council's debate on the rights of the child on 13 March 2025, he stressed the importance of investing in early childhood development. "The earlier we act, the more chances we give the child to develop harmoniously," he said.

Shian Yin,

This study explored the experiences of 14 adolescents living in a ci'aiyuan childcare institution in Xiangxi, China, finding that it sometimes fostered supportive relationships, enhanced perceived social support, and facilitated positive life changes. While these accounts challenge dominant negative views of institutional care, the study emphasizes the need to address ongoing complexities and challenges in such settings.

Joint document with Individuals who have experienced institutional care, as well as those who have experience with family-based care,

In Ukraine, for the first time, individuals who have experienced institutional care, as well as those who have experience with family-based care, have united and agreed upon a common position regarding the reform of the child care and support system, including the development of programs to support orphaned children and children deprived of parental care.

India Alternative Care Network (IACN),

Practitioners explain the core value of children's right to participate in the process of transitioning. 

The Alliance for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action,

This Resource List catalogues critical resources to guide ethical good practices in participatory research with children in humanitarian contexts. It is not an exhaustive compilation, nor does it propose new ethical guidelines. Instead, it highlights existing tools that help researchers and practitioners understand, utilise, and apply well-established ethical principles. 

Katie Ellis, Robin Sen,

This paper considers attempts to influence practice and policy from the perspectives of 15 care experienced people who had been involved in substantive public campaign work relating to children in state care and care leavers in Scotland and England. Participants shared their experiences of working to influence change and highlighted good and bad practice that they had encountered working with different individuals and organisations claiming to promote the views of those with lived experience.

Paul Shuttleworth - CoramBAAF,

This kinship care practice guidance was developed by listening to children's views. It is a practical guide to listening to children living in kinship families to help ensure that their voices and views are heard and acted upon. It is intended primarily for those who support children and families in kinship care arrangements, but it also applies to other areas of child welfare practice.

Jemma Venables, Joel Cullin, Kathy Ellem, Karen Healy,

This paper draws on the experiences of children and young people (CYP) who have self-placed in out-of-home care (OOHC) in Queensland (Australia) and the impact of that choice on their participation in decision-making.