How to listen to babies, toddlers and young children and involve them in decision-making on matters that affect them.

Author: Hub na nÓg, DCEDIY

Youth-friendly version of the Participation of Children and Young People in Decision-making: Action Plan 2024-2028.

The Covid-19 pandemic was a worldwide crisis, which had a significant impact on children’s lives. The effects were most damaging for children who were already living in disadvantaged circumstances (United Nations, 2020), with children from economically and socially disadvantaged backgrounds suffering the most (European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights, 2021). Using Ireland as a case study, the purpose of this research is to work collaboratively with children and young people to understand how a child rights-based approach can be embedded in decision-making in times of emergency.

The aim of this scoping document is to provide advice on approaching participative processes and initiatives in the most accessible and inclusive way possible.

Opportunities for Youth: National Strategy for Youth Work and Related Services sets out Ireland’s key policy ambitions for youth work and related services.

In this paper we detail and contextualise the collaborative participatory research process developed throughout the IMMERSE research project which maps the integration of migrant children in education in Europe.

This report recounts further consultation with children which took place to help shape NCCA’s development of the new curriculum specification for Wellbeing with children from Stages 3 and 4 (Third to Sixth Classes) in four primary schools between April and June 2023.

How Barnardos involved children and young people who experienced childhood domestic violence and abuse in service and policy decision-making

How Jigsaw involved young people in an online youth mental health event ‘Youth Talk, We Listen’

How the Irish Wheelchair Association involves young people in day-to-day decision-making in its young adult services.

How the Irish Secondary Students Union (ISSU) involved young people in the development of a charter for inclusive schools.

The rights of children and young people have gained prominence over recent years, spanning a range of settings and domains. In particular, the importance of eliciting, listening to and acting on the voices and views of children and young people has featured strongly in a range of legislative and policy documents. Internationally, this rights-based focus is particularly informed by the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

How a family support service listens to and acts on the views of children during their engagement in a family support programme.

How Involve Youth Project involves Traveller children and young people in decision-making in their day-to-day programmes and activities.

The views of children and young people on creating guidance documents for policy makers and those who facilitate the participation of disabled children and young people in decision making, with a particular focus on those who use augmentative or alternative communication.

In Brazil, Education of Rural Areas is a model which started with social movements and became a public policy with the aim of improving participation of people of rural areas in making decisions about the model of their education. Schools in that context need to improve access to scientific and technological knowledge, but ensuring that previous values and knowledge of the students about agroecology and sustainability are considered.

This literature review examines the available evidence concerning the participation of disabled children and young people in decision-making. This evidence is needed in order to inform the development of a toolkit on how to meaningfully and effectively involve disabled children and young people in the decision-making process and approach participative consultations and initiatives in the most accessible and inclusive way possible.

This article evaluates school meal policies in the UK and Ireland as a means to ensure the fulfilment of children’s right to food, as protected under international law. It adopts a comparative approach, assessing the varying strategies adopted across the two jurisdictions and their challenges. Whilst new developments, including the recent expansion of both hot meal provision in Ireland and universal free school meals in Wales and Scotland, are welcomed, the article argues that school meal policies across the UK and Ireland need to be radically rehauled if they are to make any headway in the realisation of children’s right to food.

Recent attempts to systematise the constitutional protection of children’s rights by creating constitutional typologies have been a useful first step in theorising this growing field. These efforts have focused on the wording of constitutions rather than their application, while forms of constitutional protection that are less textually explicit and more difficult to detect have received limited attention. By exploring the constitutional protection of children’s rights in France, this article demonstrates that some constitutions poor in explicit provisions on children’s rights can provide valuable protection through their general provisions. The article further argues that constitutional typologies of children’s rights protection should be expanded to encompass non-liberal constitutions.

All About Me Sensory Checklist – Passport for Accessible and Autism Friendly Public Services

Author: AsIAm

This visual guide template is to help improve the accessibility of your event for children and young people.

Author: AsIAm

This is the second report produced as part of the RITEC project. The first report, produced in 2022, explored the question: what does well-being mean to children in a digital age? This first-phase report is also available for download.

Beyond Limits is the Ombudsman for Children’s Office (OCO) event for children and young people with disabilities and their families. It aims to show them the opportunities open to them, talk about the issues they want to talk about, and highlight inclusiveness. With Beyond Limits, we want to show how a fully inclusive event can be the rule and not the exception.

This chapter discusses current practice and opportunities to strengthen evidence-based approaches to policymaking and service delivery for children and young people in Ireland. It analyses capacity among government departments and agencies to collect, utilise and share evidence that is disaggregated by age and other identity factors and coordinate research within the framework of the Children and Young People (CYP) Indicator Set, with a focus on mapping the needs of vulnerable groups of children and young people. It also discusses the collection of evidence through involving children, young people, and civil society in policymaking, as well as the development of regulatory impact assessments to anticipate child and youth outcomes ex ante.

The Family Justice Oversight group, formed by Helen McEntee Minister for Justice, is currently developing a plan for the family justice system for Ireland.

This Participation of Children and Young People in Decision-making: Action Plan 2024-2028 is the second national plan to support children and young people to participate in decision-making.

The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) and Hub na nÓg established an Early Years Working Group (EYWG) during 2021 to develop guidance for consulting with children and babies aged birth to 5 years. The EYWG was comprised of stakeholders from the policy, academic, creative, and early learning, and care sectors with expertise in the area. The remit of the EYWG was to consider existing research and resources on the participation of children and babies aged birth to 5 years in participation in decision-making and identify gaps in addition to piloting methodologies that enable the participation of young children in decision-making.

In the Programme for Government ‘Our Shared Future’ and in the Housing for All Housing Plan to 2030), the Government committed to developing a Youth Homelessness Strategy.

The key points to check before engaging with young people in decision-making.

Author: Scottish Youth Parliament

This resource should be used alongside the AIM The Right Way resource.

Author: Scottish Youth Parliament

How a primary school teacher ensures that children are given a voice in decision-making on what happens in the classroom every day.

How Kerry Local Creative Youth Partnership involved children in a lunchtime and after-school garden project in a primary school.

This report considers the participation of our youngest citizens from birth to 5 years and how this can be embedded in early childhood education and care in Ireland. Limitations of existing research have been highlighted by Correia et al. (2019) who state that there was no systematic review mapping international empirical research on young children’s right to participate in ECEC settings. Even that systematic review focuses on 3–6-year-olds and does not include very young children, nor did it include children with special needs. This literature review explores issues relating to what Cassidy et al (2022) describe as a complex, challenging and under researched area. It is understood that there is no such thing as children’s ‘voice’, rather children have a multiplicity of voices and these can be accessed in a variety of ways (O’Toole and Hayes, 2020). Given this understanding, practices need to be developed to support children’s participation from the earliest age. The aim of this literature review, then, is to provide policymakers and early years educators with a synthesis of the existing research in the field, allowing for a deeper understanding of current thinking with a comprehensive evidence-base on participation-related ideas, practices and outcomes in early years, highlighting state of the art and informing possible pathways to move the field forward.

In the years since the last Children’s Report, children’s lives in Ireland have undoubtedly changed significantly. As with the rest of the world, the Covid 19 pandemic hit children in Ireland hard.

Providing information and resources to support public authorities and other organisations to implement a children’s human rights approach.

Author: Scottish Government

2024

This comparative review reports on the outcomes of a phase 1 of a research project being undertaken by the Child Law Clinic at University College Cork that will examine the effectiveness of arrangements for ascertaining the views of children in private family law proceedings in Ireland.

The purpose of this guidance is to provide information and resources to support public authorities and other organisations to implement a children’s human rights approach.

The paper questions whether existing understanding of children’s participation in early childhood education may extend beyond what is required by the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Report on the development of a collection of good practice case studies on children and young people’s participation in decision-making.

In the years since the last Children’s Report, children’s lives in Ireland have undoubtedly changed significantly. As with the rest of the world, the Covid 19 pandemic hit children in Ireland hard.

A 3-year strategy working towards ending homelessness for young people aged 18-24 through prevention and exits; and improving the experience of young people accessing emergency accommodation.

In the years since the last Children’s Report, children’s lives in Ireland have undoubtedly changed significantly. As with the rest of the world, the Covid 19 pandemic hit children in Ireland hard.

The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) undertook a series of consultations with children and young people to secure their views on the implementation of children’s rights in Ireland.

This handbook is for professionals working for and with children.

Author: Dr A. Crowley, Prof. C. Larkins, & L M Pinto

The strategies in this tool can be used by adults working on an individual basis with a young child for a specific purpose.

Author: Highland Child Protection Committee & Care and Learning Alliance

This guidance provides a new definition of learner participation for Scottish education (ages 3-18).

Author: Education Scotland

This policy memo provides an overview of the extent to which children’s rights are promoted and taken into account in policies and practice. The memo considers policy frameworks at national level as well as those at European Union (EU) level. The memo also discusses ways in which policies and wider initiatives facilitate children’s participation in decisions about their future.

How can human rights for children born outside their national jurisdiction with parents deemed as terrorists be safeguarded? In what ways do children risk being discriminated in their welfare rights in Sweden when treated as invisible part of a family? How can we do research on children’s rights in not just ethically sensitive ways but also with respect for children as rights subjects? And what could be a theory on social justice for children? These are questions discussed in studies from different disciplines concerning children’s international human rights, with a special focus on the realization of the CRC in Sweden.

Providing guidance, practical advice and useful sign-posting to government departments and agencies.

Author: National Participation Office, DCEDIY

2023

When YOYP 2018 was developing, Young Scot, The Scottish Youth Parliament and Children in Scotland worked with young people to establish a ‘Co-design Blueprint’. This sets out the ethos and environment young people hope organisations will work to create when developing their own events and activities for the Year of Young People.

Teachers invariably want to do right by children in their classrooms. Increasingly, this means listening to children and acting on their views. Listening to “student voice” and incorporating children’s views about education in classroom and school decision making is important if we want to encourage authentic forms of belonging, wellbeing, learning, and achievement that really matter to children

This review generated inclusive strategies in planning public playspaces, which could support local policymakers in this complex multi-layered process.

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), ratified by Ireland in 1992, sets out the rights of children and young people up to the age of 18 and forms the basis for the vision in Young Ireland.

This paper explores how and where children can participate in decision making, with a focus on policies and practices in OECD education systems. It outlines key considerations for child participation, including barriers that many systems are struggling to overcome.

This report sets out the key findings and overall messages from a series of consultations with young people about the impact of drug use on their lives, their families and communities that took place during the period November 2022 – March 2023.

In the years since the last Children’s Report, children’s lives in Ireland have undoubtedly changed significantly. As with the rest of the world, the Covid 19 pandemic hit children in Ireland hard.

In this report, Eurochild presents the results of conversations with children from Malta, Bulgaria, Croatia and Estonia on child poverty.

In the years since the last Children’s Report, children’s lives in Ireland have undoubtedly changed significantly. As with the rest of the world, the Covid 19 pandemic hit children in Ireland hard.

This report presents the findings of the consultations with young carers from across Ireland.

In the years since the last Children’s Report, children’s lives in Ireland have undoubtedly changed significantly. As with the rest of the world, the Covid 19 pandemic hit children in Ireland hard.

This report presents the findings of the consultations with young people from minority ethnic backgrounds.

In the years since the last Children’s Report, children’s lives in Ireland have undoubtedly changed significantly. As with the rest of the world, the Covid 19 pandemic hit children in Ireland hard.

In the years since the last Children’s Report, children’s lives in Ireland have undoubtedly changed significantly. As with the rest of the world, the Covid 19 pandemic hit children in Ireland hard.

This document has been created to meet the needs of student councils at all levels – from those starting from scratch, to those who wish to just improve their functioning, and those who have a proven track record of affecting change in their school community Created by students, we hope this is a useful resource for your student council and helps you to further student voice in your school community. Further resources, including action plans on specific issues, “off-the-shelf campaigns and student resources are available on the ISSU website.

n the years since the last Children’s Report, children’s lives in Ireland have undoubtedly changed significantly. As with the rest of the world, the Covid 19 pandemic hit children in Ireland hard, and the full impact of public health restrictions on their education, health and mental health, family and other personal relationships is still largely unknown and emerging.

No Filter – A survey of children’s experience of the Covid-19 pandemic was carried out by the Ombudsman for Children’s Office (OCO) in conjunction with Amárach Research. No Filter was an online survey open to children between the ages of 9-17 years in Ireland. A small number of students aged 18 and over who are still in school also completed the survey.

New research from UNICEF Innocenti and Western Sydney University explores the question: what does well-being mean to children in a digital age? This first-phase report prioritises the voices of children, collected through workshops with over 300 children from 13 countries along with analysis of existing survey data from 34,000 children aged 9-17 across 30 countries.

Child-led research has arisen in response to changed perspectives on children’s rights and capabilities. However, questions remain about the implications of children participating in ways and for purposes designed by adults.

Despite the fact that most countries have ratified the United Nations’ Convention on the Rights of the Child, girls with disabilities experience multiple forms of violence and oppression.

Scholars in childhood research have been reconsidering whether the participation of children and young people in sensitive research is necessary. This paper questions whether some of these objections arise out of colonial attitudes towards childhood, young people, human rights, and research.

This research aimed to evaluate young children’s This article compares democratic participation research in Scottish schools over a 10-year period.

This research aimed to evaluate young children’s engagement, participation and inclusion within a city museum by utilising observations and semi structured interviews with children and families.

Webpage with links to caselaw of European Court of Human Rights on children’s rights.

The European Convention on Human Rights is a regional human rights treaty adopted by the Council of Europe in 1950.

General Comment No. 12 on the right of the child to be heard provides practical guidance for States parties on the full and effective implementation of Article 12. The General Comment presents a legal analysis of the two paragraphs of Article 12.

The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) is a human rights instrument, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 13th December 2006.

The third optional protocol on a communications procedure is a treaty which establishes an international complaints mechanism for violations of children’s rights contained in the the CRC, the Optional Protocol on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict.

This special issue arises from a seminar ‘Theorising Children’s Participation’ which brought together UK academics from a range of disciplines, with others who have rich practical and childhood expertise from across the globe.

Commonly known as Brussels II Bis, this regulation aims to standardise the rules relating to the jurisdiction of courts in divorce, legal separation and annulment proceedings and to give priority, in terms of jurisdiction to the court first hearing.

The EU Agenda for the rights of the child aims to reinforce the full commitment of the EU, as enshrined in the Treaty of Lisbon and Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU, to promote, protect and fulfil the rights of the child in all relevant EU policies.

The Charter brings together in a single document the fundamental rights protected in the EU. The Charter contains rights and freedoms under six titles: Dignity, Freedoms, Equality, Solidarity, Citizens’ Rights, and Justice.

Webpage of activities of Council of Europe on children’s participation

The Council of Europe Child Participation Assessment Tool is designed to provide specific and measurable indicators with which States can begin to measure progress in implementing Recommendation CM/Rec (2012) 2 of the Committee of Ministers.

The guidelines on child-friendly justice and their explanatory memorandum were adopted by the Council of Europe in 2010.

Consultation with children and young people towards the Council of Europe Guidelines on Child-friendly justice.

Recommendation adopted by the Committee of Ministers on 17 November 2004. It was adopted to promote and support the implementation of the revised European Charter on Participation of Young People in Local and Regional Life.

Recommendation adopted by the Committee of Ministers on 11 January 2006 calls on member state governments to recognise and support the work of youth councils in contributing to the development of public youth policy.

Youth participation is a central feature of successful youth programming and effective policy-making. It is an important part of the development of citizenship and youth development.

This text aims to help professionals empower children so that they can contribute to the decisions which affect them as individuals and as a group; at unit, local and national levels.

The paper addresses the right of children to be heard in any judicial or administrative proceeding affecting them. It introduces the subject based on examples from the laws and practices of 52 countries around the world, shedding further light on a topic.

Since the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) ‘child participation’ has been the subject of an increasing flood of initiatives, ranging from research and publications to conferences and concrete projects.

The Recommendation is aimed at ensuring the effective implementation of binding European and international instruments protecting children’s rights.

First 5 is a whole-of-Government strategy to improve the lives of babies, young children and their families.

Summary of the First 5 whole-of-Government strategy to improve the lives of babies, young children and their families.

This Report represents a big step forward towards delivering the world’s first Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Intersex+ (LGBTI+) National Youth Strategy.

This report presents the set of indicators for children and young people developed for and aligned with Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures.

Regional policy

This Convention aims to promote children’s rights and protect their best interests. It provides procedural measures to allow children to exercise their rights, including the obligation to provide them with relevant information.

The European Social Charter is a Council of Europe Treaty which guarantees social and economic human rights. It was adopted in 1961 and revised in 1996.

The overall aim of the standards is to help improve the quality of the programmes and activities for young people and the way in which they are provided.

This study presents the experiences of children, parents and health professionals on listening to children in the healthcare setting.

The focus of this research was to investigate sick children’s experiences of participation in consultation

The purpose of the consultation process is to inform the development of a whole-of Government strategy for babies, young children and their families.

This study assess the extent to which the participation of children and young people was embedded in Tusla’s culture and operations.

This report presents findings from what children learn in School to make the world a fairer and better place for everyone.

There has been an increasing focus on developing policy in the area of after-school care in Ireland in the past two years.This report provides an overview of the process and findings from these consultations with children.

This study investigates the implementation of Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) and Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) in secondary schools in Ireland.

These guidelines are intended to assist with the identification, notification, investigation, and management of child abuse cases.

Comhairle na nÓg National Executive developed this survey in response to Comhairle members, who identified their top issue as the need for young people to have a stronger say on what happens in the classroom.

Public consultation to inform the development of a National Recreation Policy for Children and Young People

This strategy develops existing structures, policies and programmes for young people who are in trouble with the law.

This report presents the findings of a study carried out by the Children’s Research Centre on behalf of the Working Group on Student Councils in Second Level Schools, established by the National Children’s Office.

The aim of this study is to examine the services and supports required by young people to promote greater compliance with the conditions of bail and reduce the use of detention on remand.

The Strategy set out a series of objectives to guide children’s policy over a ten year period in Ireland, from 2000-2010.

The Government, under the National Children’s Strategy, launched in November 2000, included a commitment to develop National Play and Recreation Policies. The Play Policy addresses the needs of younger children.

This Resource Pack and Diary are an invaluable resource to students, teachers and school management in establishing and running student councils in second-level schools.

The Child and Youth Participation Strategy is our first participation strategy, spanning the period 2019-2023.

This study uses the Lundy Model of Participation to understand what is required if children and young people are to meaningfully participate in decisions made about their lives.

This study focuses on collective participation, which is defined as ‘the goal of improving services for everyone in the same situation’.

This programme seeks to embed prevention and early intervention into the culture and operation of Tusla.

This research was commissioned in 2006 by the Ombudsman for Children as a baseline research study concerning children’s rights in Ireland.

This National Children’s Consultation represents a rare and diverse attempt to study a large population of young people’s alcohol use, their attitudes to alcohol, and their individual experience of their parent/guardians alcohol use within an Irish context

The aim of this study is to explore the extent to which children and young people aged 7-17 and living in contemporary and rural Ireland, are able to participate and influence matters affecting their home, school and community.

This report highlights the views and ideas of ten groups of children and young people consulted by the OCO between September and December 2011 about schools’ handling of bullying.  

This publication was produced by the separated children project run by the Ombudsman for Children’s Office.

This publication was produced by the separated children project run by the Ombudsman for Children’s Office. The project involved the participation of 35 separated children living in the Dublin area.

Resource booklet on how to set up a YAP in order to hear and learn from the views of children and young people.

This study was commissioned in the context of policy development in the field of young people’s recreation and leisure.

This Report provides a blueprint for the development of CYPSC operationally and strategically within the broader context of Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures: The National Policy Framework for Children and Young People 2014 – 2020.

This article explores children’s rule-following behaviour, as part of an ongoing study underway in the Contextual Behavioural Science lab at UCD.

This document’s purpose is to guide CYPSC to provide a series of practical steps in engaging children and young people in decision-making.

The report provides details of the monitoring and evaluation of the Barnardos Glór na nÓg project.

Young people’s participation in the economic, political and cultural life of all Australians is fundamental both now and in the future.

The right of children to participate in decision‑making in all matters that affect their lives is a well‑established legal principle and international research.

The Education Act, 1998 provides for the establishment of student councils, intending them to play an integral and important role in the school community.

The aim of the article is to champion and celebrate School Councils in Northern Ireland and identify ways to support and enhance their work.

The article is based on interviews with 22 children’s spokespersons in the Norwegian arrangement for indirect participation in care proceedings.

Aboriginal children and young people have much to say about governance, law and policy, particularly about matters that are likely to affect their lives.

This article sheds some much-needed light on how participation rights can be made “real” at a local level.

This article describes the process and findings of the ground-breaking CovidUnder19 survey which was co-designed with children, for children.

An Analysis of the Norwegian County Boards’ Decision-making in Cases about Adoption from Care

The program and its underlying Participatory Planning Pedagogy (PPP) and curriculum follow a student-led and rights-based approach that builds upon global Child Friendly Cities scholarship.

There are significant challenges for researchers in accessing children’s voices about matters that pertain to them in school settings.

This article highlights the problems faced by the Court and explains why, in addition to the reforms above, it is vital that the Court be overhauled both to address its effectiveness as the central agency in the youth justice system.

A study on the legal and non-legal measures of implementing the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) in 12 countries other than the UK.

This Report forms part of the Commissions Third Programme of Law Reform and follows the publication in 2009 of a Consultation Paper on Children and the Law: Medical Treatment.

This research highlighted a widespread stereotyping of young people in a range of arenas. The research concluded that the young people interviewed saw their institutional relationships with adults as for the most part unequal, troubled and rooted in stereotypical ideas about their attributes and abilities.

A study of young people in residential care and their experiences of education 

Ireland’s second periodic report to the Committee on the Rights of the Child as per the requirements under Article 44 of the Convention.

The NCCA designed a portraiture study to develop portraits of children’s experiences of early learning and development in a range of settings in Ireland.

The aim of the research is the identification and evaluation of models of good practice for consulting children and young people experiencing poverty or other forms of social exclusion in relation to public policy developments affecting them.

The Arts Council’s strategic approach has a dual focus on supporting artists and arts organisations and on seeking to increase public engagement and participation in the arts.

These guidelines have been compiled by the Arts Council in collaboration with the arts sector and the Health Service Executive (Information and Advice Persons).

A proposed policy and action plan for the period of the third arts plan. 

An act to amend and extend the planning and development act 2000, to amend the transport (railway infrastructure) act 2001, and to provide for related matters.

An act to make provision in the interests of the common good for the education of every person in the state.

This paper proposes how to give effect to the 2004 OMC “Young Voices: Guidelines on how to Involve Children and Young People in Your Work” recommendations.

An investigation behind the concepts, motivations and perceptions of parents and educators in relation to school readiness and school starting age.

The findings detailed here explore the experiences and ideas for change from children and young people precipitated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

This report details the current legal protection that exists for children in Ireland as well as the gaps that remain in the recognition of their rights.

Key findings and recommendations from a study on children and young people’s participation in planning meetings concerning their school attendance.

This article argues for a situational perspective of children’s participation to act in the child’s best interest.

This article explores child welfare workers’ experiences of children’s participation in decision-making in the child protection system

The aim of this study was to describe and capture the meaning of children’s perspective on their right to participate in decision-making.

There is a new awareness by policymakers of the effectiveness of integrating young people’s everyday perspectives into participation

This leaflet outlines a set of agreed standards for the participation of children and young people participating in decision-making processes in Wales.

Guide developed to help CIDA staff and development partners to incorporate child participation results into CIDA programmes.

Global Study analysing the role of independent human rights institutions.

Given the current trends of reducing the functions and mandates of Ombudspersons for Children institutions across Europe, ENOC carried out in 2010 a survey on the role and scope of competences of ENOC member institutions. 

Statement by the European Network of Ombudpersons for Children urging States in Europe to implement Article 12 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Webpage containing links to resolutions by the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe

This paper aims to explore present thinking and experience on childhood and children and in light of these insights identify the most constructive future directions for policy.

This issue explores perspectives on participation from experiences in Africa and seeks to elucidate key insights and lessons and raise further questions for debate.

This special issue results from an international research symposium, held in 2006 to discuss papers addressing the theme of Children and Young People as Social Actors.

“Why Don’t We?” is designed to be used in an informal environment by both young people and youth work practitioners. Many of the activities and reflective exercises are action based and require participation by all members of the group (both adults and young people).

Survey carried out by Eurochild on children in alternative care 2nd edition.

This publication examines key social justice issues related to the inclusion and recognition of difference in the primary school.

The rights of children living in residential institutions’ Recommendation Rec(2005)5 (Adopted by the Committee of Ministers on 16 March 2005

A research project to explore how children’s rights are respected in law across the different countries who are members of the ChildWatch International Research Group

A nation is democratic to the extent that its citizens are involved, particularly at the community level. The confidence and competence to be involved must be gradually acquired through practice.

Reigional Policy

Website of the AYF

This article provides a children’s rights critique of the concept of ‘pupil voice’. The analysis is founded on Article 12 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which gives children the right to have their views given due weight.

This volume of the ANNALS considers conceptual, legal, and practical issues related to the realization of children as citizens. Using the CRC as a starting point on the path of achieving functional citizenship for children, the distinguished contributors.

Recommendation by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe to Member States, encouraging them to promote participation by children in decisions affecting them.

General Comment published by the Committee on the Rights of the Child to encourage States parties to establish an independent human rights institution for the promotion and monitoring of implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

This General Comment outlines the general measures States parties must take to secure the full and effective implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

This General Comment focuses on the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in the context of early childhood.

The book explores the historical and theoretical background to Article Twelve of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and examines the various models of participation which have been created to facilitate a better understanding of this provision.

A Handbook of Children and Young People’s Participation brings together key thinkers and practitioners from diverse contexts across the globe to provide an authoritative overview of contemporary theory and practice around children’s participation. 

This book, published by Otago University Press, is an account of a Childwatch International collaborative international study about the meaning of citizenship to children – how they view their status and membership in society through notions of identity,

The goal of the project is to increase the respect of human rights of children deprived of liberty.

In this report, IPRT highlights the rights and needs of children and families affected by imprisonment in Ireland.

In 2002, a group of people got together to better understand and find ways that kids could be more involved in making decisions that affect them.

This guide looks at a range of issues and practicalities that should be considered when undertaking a research project with children

This handbook will help groups reflect and take stock of how effectively kids are being included in their work, activities and decision-making processes.

Explores the challenges faced by researchers to undertake ethical research with children.

This report explore young children’s perspectives and use of physical and social spaces of the hospital environment.

This study explores the experiences of children and young people who have participated in participation initiatives held by the DCYA.

The main aim of this research is to explore young people’s experiences of participating in their care reviews.

Submission to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child on the General Comment on the Rights of Adolescents.

Hear by right: Setting standards for active involvement of young people in democracy.

This article describes changes in conventions among social scientists undertaking research with children and young people over the last decade

This research aims to contribute to the development of National Child Well-being Indicators, a key action under the National Children’s Strategy.

Children’s issues have become a greater priority on political agendas since the UN General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Children’s issues have become a greater priority on political agendas since the UN General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

This paper argues that ethical problems in research involving direct contact with children can be overcome by using a participatory approach.

Guide for children and young people on giving consent.

The article reflects on a body of work with children as co-researchers and as participants.

Video documenting the views and experiences of professionals working with and on behalf of children in the justice system.

Short clip for children on their right to be heard in the context of judicial proceedings.

Veronica Yates talks to Children’s Rights Policy Officer about the new Third Optional Protocol to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

This podcast discusses three critiques of legal representation brought forth by young people who are in the child-welfare system.

This training video provides practical guidance and demonstrations of techniques that can help lawyers work effectively with their child clients.

This general comment seeks to highlight the importance of rest, leisure and play for chidren’s well-being and development.

This General Comment considers the relationship between State obligations regarding children’s rights and the business sector.

Towards 2016 develops a new framework to address key social challenges, which individuals in Ireland face at each stage of life, including a dedicated section on the needs of children.

This review, undertaken by the Children’s Rights Alliance, in collaboration with our members, looks back at the ten years of the Strategy and assesses whether it has delivered on its objectives

This article describes and analyses the process used by Barnardos in developing and implementing a participatory approach in a children’s IT project in Galway City, Ireland.

The Adolescent Friendly Quality Assessment Tools [AFQuATs] are designed to provide a method for health service providers and planners to assess the quality of services for young people in relation to adolescent friendly quality standards.

This strategy will build on the existing work undertaken and documented on service user involvement in health. This strategy has been developed to ensure a systematic and consistent approach to service user involvement across the health and social services.

The government wants children and young people to have more opportunities to get involved in the design, provision and evaluation of policies and services that affect them or which they use. Actively involving children will produce better services.

This document responds to Frequently Asked Questions that NYCI receives on the inclusion of cultural and minority ethnic young people and leaders in youth work.

A list of children’s rights governments must take to help children exercise set out in the 1989 United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

This is a guide developed by the UK National Youth Agency to enable organisations working with children and young people to develop best practice on the safe, sound and sustainable participation of children and young people in the services and activities

This recommendation makes reference to Member states fostering the role of non-governmental organisations and youth organisations in education for democratic citizenship and human rights education, to include the UNCRC, especially in non-formal education.

Youth-friendly resources from DCI’s International Campaign for Inclusive Education.

This document is the product of a literature review, fieldwork in India, Kenya and Ecuador and discussion with various practitioners and academics working on children’s participation.

This article reviews some of the areas of consensus and debate during the symposium in Oslo on “Children’s Participation in Community Settings” and evaluates the complex question: how can participation be evaluated in ways that will encourage best practices.

To improve the lives of children and adolescents it is necessary to find out about their circumstances, their needs, and the services they require to meet their needs.

Researching Children’s Experience provides examples of how researchers from a variety of social science perspectives have set about carrying out research into children’s experience.

The Board of the Childwatch International Research Network approved the establishment of a new Thematic Study Group to undertake an international scoping project entitled Building Capacity for Ethical Research with Children and Young People.

The case studies presented in this book describe pioneering examples of where children are given a voice. This book is part of Eurochild’s contribution to the 2010 European Year

Regional policy detailing strategic approaches at all governance levels on the eradication of children living on the streets and the promotion of their rights.

The transition of young people to adult life can be a very unequal process: while some benefit from new opportunities, others experience vulnerability and exclusion.

This General Comment pertains to the rights of indigenous children under the Convention, which specifically deals with Article 12 rights under paragraphs 37-39 of the General Comment.

The Report of the consultation with young people concerning on harmful internet communications including cyberbullying

This charter is an instrument that young people can use to encourage local authorities to implement policies concerning them, as well as a tool for co-operation between young people, youth organisations, and local and regional authorities.

The affirmation of the right of children to participate is one of the guiding principles and most progressive innovations of the Convention on the Rights of the Child

The programme was created because human rights education (HRE) – meaning educational programmes and activities that focus on promoting equality in human dignity – was, and remains, of incalculable value in shaping a dimension of democratic citizenship for all young people and in promoting a culture of universal human rights.

A youth-friendly list of internationally recognised rights applicable to young people worldwide.

The resource booklet contains a series of help and advice around important skills that you may need to be involved in governance and decisionmaking.

This guide is for Save the Children staff and partners who are involved in advocacy. You can use it as a general advocacy resource.

This publication outlines and examines all the models of participation and empowerment from Arnstein’s ‘Ladder of Citizen Participation’

This report provides feedback to children who took part in the consultations for developing EveryChild’s conceptual framework.

Groups of young people supported by Plan, who engage with school authorities, the media, national development organisations and the United Nations to advocate for child rights.

The fifth meeting of the Forum provided the opportunity to discuss how to move forward on the EU strategy on the Rights of the Child.

The Convention on the Rights of the Child and other international human rights instruments recognize the right of the child to respect for the child’s human dignity and physical integrity and equal protection under the law.

The present report focuses on children who have been victims, witnesses or parties in judicial proceedings.

Experiences of conducting focus groups with young people as part of a participatory approach to research design and participant recruitment.

This general comment provides guidance and support to States parties and other duty-bearers to support them in respecting, protecting and fulfilling children’s right to enjoyment to the highest attainable standard of health.

This general comment provides guidance and assistance to States parties in their efforts to implement the rights of children with disabilities in a comprehensive manner which covers all provisions of the Convention.

The goal of this research is to give a voice to children and young people in the context of housing estate regeneration.

The Framework focuses on children and young people’s individual and collective participation in decision-making.

This model provides a pathway to help conceptualise Article 12 of the
UNCRC.

This report aims to give local authorities a brief introduction to their duties under the Child Poverty Act, and in particular, provides further information on how to involve children and young people in work on poverty.

Using cases from Nepal and UK, the ‘Changescape’ structures the conditions that determine whether evidence from children participating in evaluation is utilised by decision-makers to shape services and inform strategic processes.

Children’s Geographies is an international peer-reviewed journal that publishes leading edge research and scholarship engaging with and advancing geographical and spatial perspectives on children, young people and families.

Children & Society is an international, interdisciplinary journal publishing high quality research and debate on all aspects of childhood and policies and services for children and young people.

This report is a comparative overview of youth participation in Germany and Finland. The project was launched in November 2007 as a bilateral cooperation initiative by the Finnish Ministry of Education and the German Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (BMFSFJ).

The Government is committed to a coherent strategy for social inclusion based on the lifecycle approach set out in the national partnership agreement towards 2016

This issue of the UNICEF Innocenti Digest examines the role and functions of exisiting Ombudsmen and Commissioners for Children and their success in protecting and promoting children’s rights.

An act to extend the functions of vocational education committees in relation to youth work, to provide for the making of grants in respect of youth work, to provide for the appointment of an assessor of youth work and his or her functions under the act.

The revised Charter advocates adequate support and commitment to the implementation of youth participation policies and practices

The aims of the research were to determine what young Irish people do in their free time and what are the barriers and supports they experience and their aspirations with regard to recreation and leisure.

A plan to strengthen the voice of children and young people in their local communities, in formal and informal education settings, in health and social services and in the national context of government decision-making.

The aim of this study was to document activity in statutory and non-statutory organisations that enables participation by children and young people (under the age of 18) in decision-making that affects their lives.

In 2007, the Minister for Children announced that his Office would consult with teenagers on alcohol misuse. The consultations were designed to explore how young people themselves view teenage drinking.

The aim of The Agenda is to assist policy-makers, managers and front-line practitioners to engage in reflective practice.

The Family Justice Oversight group, formed by Helen McEntee Minister for Justice, is currently developing a plan for the family justice system for Ireland.

Comhairle na nÓg National Executive developed this survey in response to Comhairle members, who identified their top issue as the need for young people to have a stronger say on what happens in the classroom.

Comhairle na nÓg National Executive developed this survey in response to Comhairle members, who identified their top issue as the need for young people to have a stronger say on what happens in the classroom.

Chuaigh an Roinn Leanaí, Comhionannais, Míchumais, Lánpháirtíochta agus Óige (DCEDIY) i gcomhairle le leanaí agus daoine óga chun a gcuid tuairimí maidir le cearta leanaí in Éirinn a chloisteáil.

The HSE National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) in conjunction with the DCEDIY and the National Participation Office undertook a consultation with young people on skin cancer prevention behaviours in 2021.

Review of child participation in Finland based on the Framework for the policy review process of the Council of Europe policy review on child and youth participation 2010-2011

This report presents the case for children’s participation in climate change negotiations and makes recommendations for their involvement.

The Ombudsman for Children’s Office (OCO) promotes the rights and welfare of children and young people under 18 years of age living in Ireland.

This recommendation is aimed at member states adopting legislation and policies to provide enabling structures to mitigate the effects of autism spectrum disorder and to facilitate the social integration, & improve the living conditions.

This paper explores a range of options to better support the care and protection of children at risk of separation from their families or needing substitute care. It aims to move beyond the critique of residential care provided in A Last Resort.

The articles in the preeminent International Journal of Children’s Rights reflect the perspectives of a broad range of disciplines and contribute to a greater understanding of children

The survey explored how children’s participation rights are respected in post-separation decision-making in international family law contexts, including a focus on the legislative mechanisms and on the factors that facilitated, or hindered, children’s parents.

Childhood is a major international peer reviewed journal and a forum for research relating to children in global society.

This guide provides 10 tips to help legal professionals involve children in family justice processes so that they and their families are better served.

This report presents the findings of a Forum for Young People in Care established by the Irish Association of Young People in Care (now EPIC) and HSE Dublin North.

Editorial from a Special Issue of Children’s Geographies on developing rights-based methodolgies.

This issue of ChildLinks looks at children’s participation in decision-making and contains articles from DCEDIY and Hub na nÓg.

A report of the results of a national consultation of children and young people conducted by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs and the Department of Health to help inform the development of the new national strategy to combat obesity.

Children and young people’s participation in public decision-making is now firmly on international and national agendas. This article concludes the special issue on such participation, by discussing three central issues for children.

The studies discussed here suggest that face-to-face engagement between rights-holders and duty-bearers holds a distinctive place among participative methods.

This document brings together the current thinking and practice on human rights based approaches in the education sector. It presents key issues and challenges in rights-based approaches and provides a framework for policy and programme development.

This paper discusses the practical reasons for the disjuncture between the rhetoric and the practice of promoting children’s participation, including participation being a means to an end versus an end itself.

These guidelines are aimed at assisting researchers who are thinking about involving children and young people in their work. The guidelines provide practical advice to the researcher on how to involve children and young people through all stages.

The manual provides a step-by-step guide for young people carrying out a research project and the accompanying workbook is designed to complement the training by suggesting practical tasks to support the research process.

TUSLA have come up with an approach to participation to make sure that children’s views are taken into account in decisions that affect them.

The Committee considered the second periodic report of Ireland (CRC/C/IRL/2) at its 1182nd and 1184th meetings (see CRC/C/SR1182 and 1184), held on 20 September 2006, and adopted at its 1199th meeting, held on 29 September 2006 its concluding observations

This report presents the findings of the second phase of FRA’s fieldwork research on child-friendly justice.

The Ombudsman for Children’s Office (OCO) promotes the rights and welfare of children and young people under 18 years of age living in Ireland.

This narrative literature review focuses on the opportunities of young people to participate, the challenges and facilitators to participation, and the outcomes of care related to participation.

This toolkit has been developed through a collaborative process involving a number of Tusla staff­ and managers, key stakeholders, community voluntary groups, and young people.

This study aimed to investigate the association between participation in organized youth sport and adult healthy lifestyle habits.

This article revisits the concept and practice of tokenism in collective child participation, querying whether it is accurate to describe it as ‘non-participation’ and assessing the extent to which it may offer a useful and sometimes necessary step on the journey to more respectful and meaningful engagement with children.

This paper draws upon research undertaken in Scotland but the findings of the study are relevant across the UK and beyond.

This article describes a child-centred method for engaging with children involved in the child protection and welfare system.

This project was undertaken in response to a request from the Social Services Inspectorate (SSI) to undertake a review which would assist the Social Services Inspectorate to prepare for the inspection of children’s residential centres for children.

This lecture examines the significance of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child for modern education policy. Articles 28 and 29 of the Convention, which aims pertain to education rights, are analysed against the four guiding principles.

This paper conceptualizes the specific roles that adults provide and the complex interactions between youth and adults that emerge within youth participation efforts.

Compliance with the values recognized in article 29 (1) of the UNCRC, which sets down the aims of education, clearly requires that schools be child-friendly in the fullest sense of the term and that they be consistent in all respects.

Twenty-four children (aged 5 months to 18 years) who were admitted to a university hospital were observed for a total of 135 hours with the aim of describing their degree of participation in decisions concerning their own care.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether 3 adolescents diagnosed with cancer within the previous 3 to 6 months and between 13 and 15 years of age were capable of providing data directly regarding decision making. 

This paper critiques the research literature from between 1993 and 2007 on children’s, parents and healthcare professionals’ experiences of children’s participation in consultations and decision-making within the Irish healthcare setting. 

The purpose of this study is to review the research evidence for effects, positive or negative, of participation on health outcomes for children in care. A scoping review of major health and social work research databases was undertaken. 

This report documents effective ways to promote young people’s meaningful participation in receiving health care services and/or basic information as a person in their own right and in a non-judgemental manner within a global context. 

This is a report on the views, hopes and fears of young people, North and South, and is the outcome of a unique cross-border conference

This General Comment outlines the right of young people to express views freely and have them duly taken into account (art. 12) which is fundamental in realising adolescents’ right to health and development.

This report is based on a consultation with disabled children and young people in London in 2000. It focuses on the methods and processes of carrying out such a consultation-consent issues, how to structure consultation sessions and tools used. 

“Take My Hand” report highlights young people’s experiences of, and perspectives on mental health services.

This paper outlines findings in relation to participation standards in HIQA foster care, residential care and special care inspection reports over a two-year period from 2013 to 2015.

The Innocenti Digest on Promoting the Rights of children with disabilities. 

This recommendation aims to promote the deinstitutionalisation of children with disabilities and their life in the community.

A special edition of Child Care in Practice on “Raising the Voice of Children and Young People in Care”

This article explores how effective processes are in supporting children’s participation in decisions concerning their personal welfare, protection and care.

This paper describes the development and validation of the Youth/Young Adult Voice at the Agency Level (Y-VAL), an assessment of the extent to which agencies have implemented best practices for supporting meaningful participation.

When children and young people’s involvement in research is increasingly the norm, this article reflects on the importance of a well-reasoned and transparent justification for their inclusion or exclusion

Exploring the challenges to youth work in capturing the voices of young people in a meaningful way within Meitheal and the Child and Family Support Networks model.

The article identifies some of the barriers to including children in decision making on public spending.

This systematic literature review aimed to investigate children’s views of children’s rights, at a broad level.

Youth First focused on creating safe and interactive spaces in cyberspace for young people during the pandemic.

COVID-19 reveals the vital role of human rights education (HRE) in combatting racial discrimination and safeguarding youth civil rights.

The quantitative study and analysis highlights different aspects like play and mobility range, open space visitation, activities of children.

This qualitative study described the decision-making experiences of children, parents and therapists in occupational therapy.

This summary report presents key messages that young people have identified as key experiences and priority concerns during the pandemic since November 2020.

This report presents messages that young people have identified as key experiences and priority concerns during the pandemic.

This study focuses on participation in decision-making processes and how rural youth could benefit from its findings in development projects

This document provides a common framework to guide government and civil society to promote the meaningful participation of children in South Africa.