How to Ensure Meaningful Children’s Participation?

Tim RuscoeParticipation Development Officer

Barnardo’s Cymru

Barnardo’s is a Children’s Charity established in Stepney, London in 1870.

Barnardo’s Cymru (the corporate body in Wales) launched in 1999.

Barnardo’s Cymru works with around 12,000 children and young people and their families in Wales each year.

What We Know

Participation is a Right

As a right it is something we can promote and protect.

It can not be defined by activity. Activity and practice should

empower individuals in enjoying their Rights.

Participation is a fundamental enabling Right

Participation

Safety

Health

Education

Language

Religion

Information

Leisure

Protection

A voiceIdentity

Rights into Action Manifesto says..

“Nothing about us

Without us”

Sustainable Representation

Children’s Capacity Adult Capacity

Shared ResponsibiltyPower Sharing

Equal Partners in Communities

PATHWAYS TO PARTICIPATION

Levels of Participation

Openings > Opportunities > Obligations

5. Service usersshare powerandresponsibilityfor decision-making.

4. Service users areinvolved indecision-makingprocesses.

This point is the minimum you must achieve if you endorse the UNCRC3. Service user’sviews are takeninto account.

2. Service users aresupported inexpressingtheir views.

1. Service users areListened to.

START HERE

Taken from: Shier, H (2001) Pathways to Participation: Openings, Opportunities and Obligations, Children & Society Volume 15 pp. 107-117

Are you readyto share someof your powerwith serviceusers?

Is there a procedurethat enables serviceusers & staff to sharepow er & responsibilityfor decisions?

Is it a policy requirementthat service users & staffshare power &responsibility fordecisions?

Are you readyto let serviceusers join inyour decision-making

processes?

Is there a procedure thatenables service users tojoin in decision-makingprocesses?

It is a policy requirementthat service users mustbe involved in decision-making processes?

Are youready to takeserviceuser’s viewsinto account?

Does your decisionmaking process enableyou to take service user’sviews into account?

Is it a policy requirementthat service users mustbe supported inexpressing their views?

Are youready tosupportservice usersin expressingtheir views?

Do you have a range ofideas and activities tohelp service usersexpress their views?

It is a policyrequirement thatservice users must besupported inexpressing theirviews?

Are youready tolisten serviceusers?

Do you work in a waythat enables you tolisten to service users?

Is it a policy requirementthat service users mustbe listened to?

Shier’s: Pathways to Participation

START HERE

1. Service users are listened to.

2. Service users are supported in expressing their views.

3. Service users views are taken into account.

This point is the minimum you must achieve if you endorse the UNCRC

4. Service users are involved in decision-making processes.

5. Service users share power and responsibility for decision-making.

Taken from: Shier, H (2001) Pathways to Participation: Openings, Opportunities and Obligations, Children & Society Volume 15 pp. 107-117

Gains for Children and Young People (Funky Dragon-2002)

A voice and influence.

Updated services.

Self development.

Social and political education.

We become creators not consumers.

Participation in wider society.

•Democracy!

Organisational Gains (Funky Dragon-2002)

•Services and Policies that are designed, delivered and evaluated on the basis of identified needs of children and young people.

•Services that are more effective.

•Services that are more credible with children and young people and which safeguard us.

•You will be meeting government/assembly targets and expectations.

•You will also be contributing to the personal, social and political development of children and young people in Wales.

Benefits of Participation

Children and Young People’s participation: Enhances relationships Increases organisation relevance to children Improves organisational abilitity to achieve outcomes Assists organisations to effectively target funds Enhances organisational credibility and reputation Offers organisations a wider variety of perspectives Improves organisational systems Helps build capacity and sustainability within an

organisation

“Youth Participation Case Studies” by Cathy McGachie and Kirsten Smith for the Ministry of Youth Affairs in New Zealand

National Assembly for WalesEquality of Opportunity Committee. EOC conducted a review of services

for Disabled Children and Young People including the involvement of a Reference Group of Disabled Young People

Focused on:- Transport. Transition. Social Services Provision. Education. Independent Living. Sex, sexuality and relationships.

If children and young people have a voiceIf we can hear that voice

Children wll be better protected

CHILD PARTICIPATION IN THE EUROPEAN FORUM ON THE RIGHTS OF THE

CHILDBerlin, 4th June 2007

CHILD PARTICIPATION is part of the Forum’s Purpose

• The Forum is one of the ways the EC is meeting its commitment to child participation - see the Text of the Communication.

• Child Participation is an aim of the Forum, as well as a valuable tool in improving EU policy, practice and programming.

• But! To ensure quality meaningful participation resources are required to ensure children’s participation in this design phase.

MEANINGFUL PARTICIPATON

‘Participation is more than turning up!’

ETHICAL – commitment to honesty, accountability,

transparency with a respect for all. NON-DISCRIMINATION – equal opportunities

for all children to participate.

CHILD FRIENDLY – creating an enabling environment in which children are able to contribute to the best of their abilities.

SAFE PARTICIPATIONChild Protection is Critical! (and it requires resources)

Child Protection procedures need to be followed rigorously to avoid negative experiences for children or adult participants. It involves training and orientation for all of the people involved in the Forum (not just the Forum representatives).

We suggest adapting existing resources – e.g.: from the Violence Against Children consultation in Bangkok.

Selection of <18 delegates

REPRESENTATIVENESS

Must be a process of being mandated by their peers

Child delegates are committed to representing the views of others

Must be an established feedback mechanism

INCLUSIVENESS

Selection of < 18 delegates

Create the right conditions to enable everyone to take part… • people with disabilities• people speaking different languages• people from different cultures & religions• people who cannot afford to pay for transport…

CONSIDER CHILDREN’S ACADEMIC & PERSONAL COMMITMENTS!

Expert Groups

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTAdequate preparation & follow-up is

given to every ForumChildren are involved as key partners in

the preparation and follow-up

Permanent child & adult expert groups

FORUM: ORGANISATIONAL ISSUES

TIMING

• Lengthy preparation process

• Sufficent time before & after the event for ‘ice-breaking’ & de-briefing

COSTS

• Not possible to “cut corners” on children’s participation!

FORUM: ORGANISATIONAL ISSUES• Child Friendly Documentation and

Presentations- Key documents produced in child friendly version (and translated). Presentations ‘child friendly’ so that all can understand

• Working Groups – Mixture of discussion formats, skilled facilitators

• Evaluation – Adults and children should provide regular feedback on their experiences of the Forum –

in order to ensure participation is meaningful for all

EXTERNAL REPRESENTATION?

• To be determined in practice• Stated in the Communication

that such participatory practices should be repeated in third countries – relating to the EU’s policy, programming and practice

• Use existing resources – e.g: VAC

In the words of children…“ We need….Enough funding to do this work properly and

have enough (qualified) staffSettings that allow equality, and for us to

learn from each otherEnough time to get involved and share our

ideas with othersLiterature that we can read & understandAdults and staff that are welcoming”

Children’s manifesto « Why Involve Us » Eurochild June 06

Thank you for listening!