1. CAWT Outcomes for children project Developing a children and young people’s engagement action plan Thursday 20 January, 2011 Paula Keenan Strategic & Operational Advisor

2. Setting the scene Children and young people’s engagement strategy Today is about using your expertise and pooling your experience to develop an action plan A little input – a lot of working together

3. The Participation ‘Pie’ NICCY NI Youth Forum Save the Children Playboard Education and Library Board Youth groups VOYPIC Include Youth Youthnet Early Years Children Services Planning Forums Sixth Sense

4. … supports statutory agencies, local government and government departments in Northern Ireland to fulfil their duties to effectively engage children and young people in public decision making’

5. Consultancy Training Signposting Resources ‘What we offer ’

6. What is ‘children and young people’s participation in public decision making’?

7. Participation vs consultation Consultation: asking children and young people directly about their views Participation: children and young people sharing ideas, thinking for themselves, expressing their views effectively, planning, prioritising and being involved in the decision making process Consultation is good ……….but participation is better!

8. Looking back… Try to remember a time from your childhood when the adults in your life were making an important decision Talk to the person beside you about: –Were you involved in the decision in any way? –How did you feel about being involved or not being involved?

9. Why engage? The UNCRC “that luminous document that enshrines the rights of every child without exception to a life of dignity and self-fulfilment” Nelson Mandela 2000

10. Article 12 “ States Parties shall assure to the child who is capable of forming his or her own views the right to express those views freely in all matters affecting the child, the views of the child being given due weight in accordance with the age and maturity of the child.” Article 12, United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child

11. Direct engagement? “When young people deliver the message themselves, people pay more attention.” (Community Project) “If you want young people to be interested in community and politics, you have to treat them with equal regard and respect as adults. To involve them is to show the constructive role of politics.” (MLA) “We get institutionalized, we work within versus challenge the system. Young people are creative in terms of how they approach issues.” (MLA) “See young people as helping develop transport rather than see them as people who vandalize buses.” (Department Official) “The Program for Government talks about sustainability. The best way to do that is invest in your children and young people.” (MLA) “As a direct result of the involvement of young people, there has been a reduction in age and religious barriers within our organisation.” (District Councillor)

12. The benefits of engagement Policies and services will be more relevant and more effective Because: They will be informed by experts – ‘insider information’ They will address needs identified by those living with the situation you’re trying to improve You will have had a chance to test out ideas, be alerted to flaws an adults wouldn’t spot, get fresh ideas You comply with requirements – children and young people develop citizenship skills, counter feelings of isolation / lack of belonging WIN – WIN

13. ASK FIRST Standards Appropriate methods Support Knowledge Feedback Inclusion Respect Senior People Timing

14. Current engagements Public Health Agency DoE Road Safety Strategy NI Court Service – Translation services DEL Committee – Service provision for those Not in Employment, Education or Training

15. Three steps to action WHO What categories of children and young people do you need to engage e.g. age, experience, background etc. WHAT What information do you need? e.g. views, opinions, ideas, experiences etc. HOW What methods will you use to get information? e.g. surveys, new technologies, workshops etc.

16. Who? In your group divide a flip-chart in half On one side, record all the categories of children and young people you need to engage with On the other list where you can access those children and young people e.g. local organisations

17. What? On the flip-chart record what you need to know from children and young people Where possible write specific questions

18. How? Bearing in mind… –Who you need to engage with –What agencies / organisations might help you access children and young people –What you most need to know List a series of actions that describe how you will get the information you need e.g. Host a workshop with young people from XXX group to explore what they feel are the barriers to them going to school

19. Next Steps