The Listen to Me Project: Creating lasting changes in voice and participation for children in care through a youth led project

Gissele Damiani-Taraba, Iona Sky, Dakota Hegler, Nicholas Woolridge, Blake Anderson & Andrew Koster - Child & Youth Services

Abstract

In this paper we present the results from a Youth Lead Project on the voices and participation of children in state care in Ontario Canada. The purpose of this project was for youth to share their voice around what they wish child protection workers and agencies could do to improve their experiences within the child protection system. Many youth in care in Canada and internationally report that their voices are not heard and that they are not involved in decisions involving their care. Seven themes were extracted from this voices of youth project asking child welfare workers and agencies to: Listen to [them] and believe [them]; Keep [them] informed and be honest; Involve [them] in decisions; Support [them]; Keep [them] connected; Ignite [their] passions and don't give up on [them]. Suggestions from the youth, involved in this project, are offered on ways to create true and meaningful change in child welfare.