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.

The views or wishes of children should never be assumed or overlooked, and such a process will ultimately help to formulate interventions which are more responsive. Whether investigating abuse, assessing a child’s needs, undertaking permanency planning, or evaluating standards of care, children’s opinions must form an integral part of the decision making process. The appointment of an independent guardian is a safeguard to ensure that the child has a voice and that his or her rights are protected.

The process of encouraging participation requires skill in communicating with children. Children should not be told what to say, intimidated, or judged. An environment of safety and respect is necessary to help the child feel comfortable to express her opinions, and therefore care should be taken regarding who else is present, the physical environment, and the way information is sought.

Children should be given a choice regarding participation, and where possible, parents and caretakers should be fully aware of the consultation process. Confidentiality of information is paramount and children should not be put in danger as a result of expressing their views. It is the responsibility of all professionals involved in the care of children to ensure that the process of participation is safe and that children will have support available where follow-up is necessary.

This section includes guidance on the process for consulting children, and example participation projects.

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The Way Forward to Strengthened Policies and Practices for Unaccompanied and Separated Children in Europe

International Rescue Committee, UNHCR, UNICEF, 10 Jul 2017

This paper, based on findings from a consultative process with a variety of actors, captures a multitude of concrete recommendations for more efficient and harmonized policies and practices, taking into account the best interests of unaccompanied and separated children (UASC) in Europe.

Listening to the voices of children in decision-making: A challenge for the child protection system in Spain

M. Ángeles Balsells, Nuria Fuentes-Peláez & Crescencia Pastor - Children and Youth Services Review, 01 Jul 2017

This study examined the extent to which children and adolescents participated in decisions that affected them at the points of removal and reunification in the child protection process in Spain.

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Child Rights in the Global Compacts: Recommendations for protecting, promoting and implementing the human rights of children on the move in the proposed Global Compacts

Jacqueline Bhabha and Mike Dottridge - Initiative for Child Rights in the Global Compacts, 24 Jun 2017

This working document by the Initiative for Child Rights in the Global Compacts, a multilateral initiative supported by 26 organizations, provides goals, targets and indicators with respect to six priority issues involving refugee and migrant children.

Keynote Address by SRSG Marta Santos Pais for the Africa Expert Consultation on Violence Against Children in All Care Settings

SRSG Marta Santos Pais, 21 Jun 2017

In this video message, Marta Santos Pais, SRSG on Violence against Children, addresses the June 2017 Africa Expert Consultation on Violence against Children (VAC) in All Care Settings.

UN CRC General Comment No. 21 (2017) on children in street situations

Committee on the Rights of the Child, United Nations, 21 Jun 2017

General Comment 21, issued by the Committee on the Rights of the Child, provides guidance to States on developing comprehensive, long-term national strategies on children in street situations, utilizing a child rights approach and addressing both prevention and response in line with the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Keynote Address by Ruth Wacuka of the Kenya Society of Careleavers at the Africa Expert Consultation on Violence against Children in All Care Settings

Ruth Wacuka - Kenya Society of Careleavers, 21 Jun 2017

This document includes the keynote address given on the first day of the Africa Expert Consultation on Violence against Children (VAC) in All Care Settings by Ruth Wacuka, Kenya Society of Careleavers.

“We are merchandise on a conveyer belt”: How young adults in the public child protection system perceive their participation in decisions about their care

Katrin Križ, Dakota Roundtree-Swain - Children and Youth Services Review , 04 May 2017

The aim of this study is to show young people's feelings about their experiences with participation in decision-making in public care in the United States.

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Sorted and Supported: Your guide to Leaving Care Entitlements

Sara Gomes - Coram Voice, 01 May 2017

This guide from Coram Voice in the UK provides guidance to youth leaving or aging out of the foster care system, including informing care-leavers of their rights.

Our Lives Our Care: Looked after children’s views on their well-being in 2016

Professor Julie Selwyn and Linda Briheim-Crookall - Coram Voice, Hadley Centre, University of Bristol School for Policy Studies, 2017

This report summarises the findings from the 611 children and young people who completed the Bright Spots’ ‘Your Life, Your Care’ survey on their experiences in care.

New beginnings and other writings on being in care

Coram BAAF, 2017

This collection of poetry and writing throws the spotlight on living 'in care' - a subject rarely explored in literature and yet experienced by more than 60,000 children in the UK every year.

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