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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Listening to Girls on the Street Tell Their Own Story

Apt, N.A. and M. Grieco - RESPONSE and UNICEF, Social Administration, Centre for Policy Studies, University of Ghana, 01 Apr 1995

The sections featured in this report provide case studies of 25 street girls and discussion and conclusions based on these case studies.

Changing Futures

Changing Futures is a website for young people made by young people with experience of Tusla [child welfare] services in Ireland.

View Website

Voices and choices: young people participating in inspections - Summary

Pam Hibbert - Consortium: Barnardo’s, First Key, National Children’s Bureau, Save the Children, Social Services Inspectorate and The Children’s Society,

This report outlines the learning from a project aimed at involving care-experienced young people and the voluntary sector in the inspections of local authority children's services and identifies the added value of the approach and methods used.