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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Working with Children and Families Vol 2., Children's Activities

Louise Melville, British Council, Jordan, 2005

Guidance and examples of group activities which promote development and self-esteem, and the role of the worker in providing activities on a regular basis.

How Communities are Coping with the Impact of HIV and AIDS on Children: Findings from Uganda and Zambia

Jane Chege, 2005

Assessment of pilot programs employing World Vision Community Care Coalition model in Uganda and Zambia.

A Strange Illness: Issues and Research by Children Affected by HIV/AIDS in Central China

Andy West and Zhang Hui, 2005

A participatory report of concerns raised by children affected by HIV/AIDS in central China. Uses children’s responses to identify child vulnerabilities and suggest appropriate future action.

Facing the Crisis: Supporting Children Through Positive Care Options

David Tolfree, 2005

A paper with guidelines for keeping children with families and providing proper care and protection for them. It provides examples and plans for those interested in planning care for separated children.

Children in Institutional Care: The Status of their Rights and Protection in Sri Lanka

Save the Children Sri Lanka and Save the Children Canada, 31 Dec 2004

A situation analysis of children in institutional care that includes policy implications and key recommendations.

UNICEF Programming for Psychosocial Support: Frequently Asked Questions

UNICEF, 31 Dec 2004

Helpful resource for defining key terms, issues, and practices in psychosocial support. Contains a short list of recommended tools for support and monitoring of psychosocial support interventions.

Child Participation

Paul Stephenson, Steve Gourley, and Glenn Miles, 2004

A faith-based approach to promoting and integrating child participation into communities. Includes guidelines for the design, implementation and evaluation of programs, as well as specific activity recommendations and case studies.

So You Want to Involve Children in Research?

Save the Children Sweden, 2004

A toolkit offering operational guidance and techniques for eliciting child participation in primary and secondary research. Includes in-depth consideration of related ethical issues.

Small Voices, Big Concerns: A Child Rights Approach to HIV/AIDS

Jane Blackhurst, Sarah Collen, and Helen Young, 2004

Outlines how a child rights approach can be used to strengthen policy implementation and provides recommendations as to how the EU institutions can move forward in implementing commitments to OVC.

Children on the Brink 2004: A Joint Report of New Orphan Estimates and a Framework for Action

UNAIDS, UNICEF and USAID, 2004

This report examines the current state of orphans and vulnerable children. It provides a regional overview, highlights trends, urges support for alternatives to institutional care and child participation, and presents a framework of protection and care of orphans and vulnerable children. Includes comprehensive data appendices.