Strategy

Commentary

Hear by Right is essentially a useful framework for developing a participation strategy. A strategy for involving children and young people is most likely to succeed if it involves them directly in its development and review. It needs to make clear the expected balance of benefit for everyone. At the Emerging level, adults are likely to take the lead, but must be clear that there is room for change in the strategy through children and young people’s input. Children and young people will soon spot tokenism and withdraw their support. Later, children and young people will take a full part in review processes. There needs to be coherence across all organisational plans and clarity that the purpose of the strategy is action for change. Strategies need to be specific about resources of time, money and people, including what is required to sustain and develop the participation of a range of groups of children and young people.

Indicators

Emerging

2.1 - Resources and expertise are mapped for building the participation of children and young people (an audit)

2.2 - The strategic plan for active involvement is agreed and in place, with key staff, roles and resources identified for its implementation

Established

2.3 - Children and young people contribute to developing and reviewing the strategic plan for active involvement, agreeing objectives, boundaries and benefits

2.4 - Other plans in the organisation are complementary and refer to the active involvement strategy

Advanced

2.5 - The strategy identifies and includes key local partnerships to promote the active involvement of children and young people

2.6 - The strategy includes resources to sustain, develop and regenerate children and young people's involvement

2.7 - The strategy develops the links between local and any regional or national structures and initiatives for the active involvement of children and young people