INVESTING IN CHILDREN Children and Young People as Participants not just Recipients RiP/RiPfA Conference June 2006

WHAT WE INTEND TO DO Discourse on childhood Investing in Children Dialogue Participation Listening to children reference group What have we learned?

DISCOURSE ON CHILDHOOD The innocent child, in need of protection The reckless child, in need of control The child as a work in progress s Childhood is a social construct construct

STATEMENT OF INTENT Our aim is to work in partnership with children and young people to promote their best interests and enhance their quality of life: We will achieve this by: consulting with children, young people and their families about decisions affecting their lives and the development of services. promoting partnerships between individuals and agencies to address young people’s issues. developing accessible children and young people and family centred services that promote dignity and independence and which do not discriminate or stigmatise. ensuring that when making decisions on policies and services consideration is given to their potential impact on the lives of children and young people. The values which underpin our work with and on behalf of children and young people are consistent with the UN Convention the Rights of the Child and the Children Act 1989.

INVESTING IN CHILDREN “Children are seen as full human beings, right-holders who can play an active part in the enjoyment of their rights. They are not – as they have often been presented in the past – mere dependents, the property of their parents. They are not people who only become full human beings when they become adults. They are in need of protection but also have strengths. Every child is seen as important, no matter what its abilities, origins or gender. Their views and opinions are significant. They are not to be seen merely as victims, workers, young offenders, pupils or consumers, but as complex and fully rounded individuals.” Muscroft, 1999

INVESTING IN CHILDREN

PARTICIPATION Ensuring that the voices of children and young people are heard Participative practice needs to be concerned with issues children and young people agree are important to them Participation as a means to an end Participation needs to be inclusive Participation should be transformative, in that it challenges the old-fashioned view that children and young people are objects of concern (Edwards,Davis and others 2004,pp )

INVESTING IN CHILDREN

RULES FOR DIALOGUE Everyone has a right to their say. Everyone must be listened to with respect. Everyone deserves to have their claim considered. There must be no coercion. The force of the better argument. Habermas

INVESTING IN CHILDREN Campaigns/Research 40 groups, including: Transport Leisure Mental Health Skateboard facilities Health & Isolation Environment Youth Services Police Music venues School attendance/exclusion Economic Development Children’s Services Plan Anti Racism Special Education

MEMBERSHIP SCHEME 150 members and 75 applicants including: Schools Nurseries Children Hospital Wards GP Practices Libraries and 1 museum Police Stations Youth Clubs Pupil Support teams Social Services teams Family Centres Leisure Centres Voluntary Organisations

INVESTING IN CHILDREN “The government’s campaign against poverty and social exclusion as well as its programme to improve provision for looked-after children and protect them from abuse, welcome as they are, do not represent a departure from a more traditional view of children as recipients of adult help and benevolence. It will involve a more radical change in social attitudes and government policy….. To recognise children not simply as recipients but as participants.” (Roberts, 2001 p64)

The listening to Children reference group The Listening to Children Strategy The Listening to Children Reference group The Listening to Children Steering group Areas of work

What have we learned? Dialogue, not consultation Pay attention to the lived lives of children and young people Participation is a means, not an end. Its all about change.

INVESTING IN CHILDREN Children as participants not recipients ripfa Conference June 2006