Involving Children & Young People

The Children and Young People’s Strategic Active Involvement Task Group is made up of 17 young people aged between 13 and 19 who have worked to develop this charter of involvement.

The following is a summary of the main points - the full charter is available to view or download at the foot of the page.

1. Valued by giving them:

• Honesty, respect and the right to get involved
• Feedback and proof that their involvement has made a difference
• Rewards and celebrations for their involvement

2. Accessible by going the extra mile to:

• Share information widely about ways of getting involved in decision-making
• Respect diversity by making sure that all young people, whatever their background, are given equal opportunities for involvement
• Adjust to children and young people’s needs such as language

3. Safe and Sound by giving them statements and guidelines for involvement which include:

• Transportation of children and young people
• Healthy and safe surroundings
• Mentoring and support
• A clear way of making complaints

4. Method of working supported by:

• Organisations welcoming change
• Organisations really listening to children and young people
• Understanding that children and young people want to be involved

5. Adequately Staffed with children and young people's involvement supported by knowledgeable and well-equipped staff who have:

• Opportunities to develop their skills
• Developed a way of working involving children and young people
• Respect for children and young people

6. Skill & Knowledge opportunities, skills & knowledge will be shared by:

• Children and young people, staff and councillors
• Offering specialist training for all specific types of involvement such as recruiting and selecting staff

7. Supported by leaders who are:

• Democratic, dedicated, fair and generally concerned and understanding
• Not tokenistic – offering children and young people a voice and REAL choices
• Not manipulative, not using children and young people

This Children and Young People’s charter is based on Hear by Right, Seven Standards for the involvement of Children and Young People.

This Charter will sit alongside Quality Standards that Partners will put into practice in their own organisations.

The update below gives details of the latest developments.

For any further information please contact Gordon Stewart using the details on the right.

•  Involving CYP Update December 2007 (Word format 52kb)
•  Children and Young People's Charter of Involvement (pdf format 667kb)
•  Practice Guide - Recruitment (pdf format 128kb)
•  Quality Standards Charter Mark (pdf format 159kb)
•  Strategy (pdf format 245kb)