We all have a collective responsibility to uphold children’s rights, including their right to participate in decisions. We must all attempt to move towards shared language and practice, develop our knowledge and skills about participation, and role model participation as “the way we work” by fostering a culture of partnership and children’s rights.

But what does this look like day to day?….

Practitioners:

• Actively identify, raise and create safe and inclusive spaces for CYPF to share their views (about support and others)
• Share insights/views with appropriate audiences and provide feedback loops to CYPF
• Share participation opportunities with CYPF
• Undertake training/learning to develop knowledge and confidence
• Embed participation within everyday practice and conversations with CYPF, encouraging them to share their views

Service Leads:

• Role model participation as ‘the way we work’ , embedded throughout service delivery
• Directly engaging with CYPF where appropriate
• Encourage and monitor staff training and knowledge development on participation
• Actively ask about CYPF views during supervision
• Identify opportunities for CYPF to participate in service development and utilise pre-existing feedback

Senior Leads:

• Role model participation as ‘the way we work’ including directly engaging with CYPF where appropriate
• Identify and embed participation within strategic decision making, governance and strategies