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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Case Study of the Care and Protection of Separated Children in the Sinje Refugee Camp, Liberia

Miatta Abdullai, Edwin Dorbor, and David Tolfree, 2002

This paper outlines the response of Save the Children to the civil war outbreak in Liberia. Using the concept of child participation, the organization was able to address the needs of the children, which included family tracing and reunification, child protection and education.

Working With and For Adolescents: Some UNICEF Examples

UNICEF, 2002

Compiled case descriptions from a diverse set of programs that work with and for adolescents. Analysis emphasizes common challenges and lessons learned for strategic planning.

Street Children, Human Rights, and Public Health: A Critique and Future Directions

Catherine Panter-Brick, 31 Dec 2001

An analysis of the multi-level factors present in the lives of children living and working on the streets. The author advocates for integrating human rights and child participation based approaches into interventions and supports for at-risk children.

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Child Needs Assessment Tool Kit

N/A, 2001

A comprehensive tool kit providing a methodology, questionnaire and software for assessing the needs of young children affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Used to help design of service programs, secure funding, and monitor and evaluate programs specifically targeting the needs of young children and their families.

Who Will Teach Me To Learn? Creating Positive School Experiences for Youth in Care

Martha Kirby, 2001

Research project examining the problems faced in the education of youth in care in Canada. Provides recommendations for supporting high school education and for including children in their educational planning.

Youth: Care and Protection of Children in Emergencies: A Field Guide

Marc Sommers, 2001

An overview of the key challenges surrounding youth in crisis and the framework for dealing with these issues based on Save the Children principles in youth programming. Includes detailed examination of international programming examples.

Creating Space for Children's Participation: Planning with Street Children in Yangon, Myanmar

Karl Dorning and Tim O’Shaughnessy, 2001

Summarizes an empowerment evaluation of the Street and Working Children Program in Yangon and Mandalay. Includes detailed methodology and lessons learned.

Foundations: Community Mobilisation: Resource Pack

Action for the Rights of Children, 2001

Discusses the importance, benefits and challenges to community mobilisation for refugees and other displaced persons, with a particular emphasis on children. Includes facilitators notes, participatory exercises, overheads, and handouts.

A Framework For Responding to Vulnerable Children

Sarah Wise, 2001

Discusses the value of the UK Children in Need assessment framework for use by Victorian Family Services (Australia).

Foundations: Working with Children: Resource Pack

Action for the Rights of Children, 2001

Resource pack for a course introducing the skills necessary for communicating with children. Includes facilitator’s notes, exercises, and handouts, as well as a list of relevant resources.