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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What does research tell us about young people’s participation in decision making in residential care? A systematic scoping review

Lynne McPherson, Meaghan Vosz, Kathomi Gatwiri, Natalie Parmenter, Noel Macnamara, Janise Mitchell, Joe Tucci - Children and Youth Services Review, 29 Dec 2020

This article reports on a systematic scoping review which investigated research publications on participation in making life-impacting decisions by young people.

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Community-based participatory research with at-risk youth: lessons learned from a Photovoice project in Taiwan

Victor Hsiao, Sunya Chen, Mellissa Withers - Journal of Health and Caring Sciences, 18 Dec 2020

Thirteen youth from a group home in Taiwan for teenage boys in the foster care and juvenile justice systems participated in this yearlong study which utilized a strengths-based approach to examine resiliency, their needs, and sources of support. This article describes nine key lessons learned to keep at-risk youth at the center of future similar research studies through protecting, representing, and empowering them.

Three conversation practices illuminating how children’s views and wishes are explored in care proceedings: An analysis of 22 children’s spokespersons’ accounts

MarieHatlelid Føleide - Children and Youth Services Review, 01 Dec 2020

This study consists of interviews with 22 children’s spokespersons in Norway. Study findings question whether children in care proceedings understand the invitation to voice their wishes as confined to matters relating to the proceedings.

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From Foster Youth to Foster Scholar: Suggestions for Emancipatory Research Practices

Angela E. Hoffman-Cooper - Children and Youth Services Review, 28 Nov 2020

This paper discusses how research related to youth with experience in foster care can be conducted in an emancipatory manner with researchers actively supporting the liberation of youth with experience in foster care through their scholarly contributions.

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Webinar: Why and how does protecting children’s rights strengthen our democracies?

Eurochild, 20 Nov 2020

This webinar was part of Eurochild’s breakfast webinars to mark World Children’s Day 2020. This webinar looked at the intersection between children’s rights and democracy.

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Children's Rights and Inclusion Strategy

Children's Hearings Scotland, 20 Nov 2020

The Scottish Children’s Rights and Inclusion Strategy aims to ensure children feel able to speak openly and honestly in hearings, and that their views are given real weight in the decision making process.

Experiences & recommendations of girls and boys in West Africa on the impact of COVID-19

World Vision, 19 Nov 2020

This report explores children and young people’s views and experiences related to COVID-19 and its indirect impacts. Firstly, it looks at children and young people’s perceptions of how COVID-19 has had an impact on their lives and countries.

Experiences and recommendations of girls and boys in the Asia Pacific region during COVID-19

World Vision, 19 Nov 2020

This consultation explores children and young people’s views and experiences related to COVID-19 and its secondary impacts.

Let Our Voice Be Heard: Asia Pacific Child Well-Being Learning Exchange

World Vision and UNICEF East Asia and Pacific, 18 Nov 2020

More than 100 child participants across East Asia convened with government officials to discuss the increased instances of child violence experienced during COVID-19 at World Vision’s Asia Pacific Child Well-Being Learning Exchange forum on 18 November 2020.

Participation in the Child Protection Assessment: Voices from Children in Estonia

Kadi Lauri, Karmen Toros & Rafaela Lehtme - Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal, 13 Nov 2020

This article explores children’s views and experiences of participation within the context of child protection assessment practice.

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