• The Lundy Model (2007) provides a way to implement and understand a child's right to participate. It conceptualises Article 12 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child - the right to express their views in all matters affecting them and for these views to be given ‘due weight’ (taken seriously). We have extended the use of the model to also guide practice with parents and carers.
• The model attempts to highlight the different elements of Article 12 to guide meaningful practice and understanding of its legal basis.
• Increasingly internationally and nationally used, and it is now gaining increasing adoption locally in Surrey including Surrey County Council, Surrey Youth Focus and other partners.

Why this model?

• During workshops, children, young people and families preferred the Lundy Model to other models and noted its simplicity, use of colours and design but particularly how it guides professionals how to practice in meaningful, non tokenistic ways.
• The model is gaining significant adoption around the world.
• It highlights the emphasis on the legal basis for children to participate, rather than it being a ‘nice to have’.
• The focus on ‘influence’ will support us to not only listen but increasingly act on what we hear.

There are many different models of participation in existence which provide different approaches to understanding the concept. Participation as a modern concept emerged in the 1960s. One of the earliest and most well known models was Harts model: The Ladder of Participation, highlighting different levels of participation and where power lies.