2. Why is Participation Important? UN Convention - Article 12 UN Convention - Article 12 Children Act Children Act Connexions Connexions Transforming Youth Work Transforming Youth Work OfSTED OfSTED Funding Funding Citizenship Citizenship Reduction of risk-taking behaviour Reduction of risk-taking behaviour

3. Why is Participation Important? UN Convention - Article 12 UN Convention - Article 12 Children have the right to say what they think should happen when adults are making decisions that affect them and to have their opinions taken into account. Resourcing Excellent Youth Work Resourcing Excellent Youth Work Authorities must demonstrate clear arrangements for involving young people in democratic processes.

4. Different Approaches Young people’s decision-making is a fundamental part of participation. There may be differences between the way in which adults and young people make decisions e.g. less formal, more instinctive, more action-oriented. There may be differences between the way in which adults and young people make decisions e.g. less formal, more instinctive, more action-oriented. There are often issues of control for young people i.e. decisions are usually made for them in their lives (school, family etc.) There are often issues of control for young people i.e. decisions are usually made for them in their lives (school, family etc.) Peers can have a major influence on young people’s decision-making, both positively or negatively. Peers can have a major influence on young people’s decision-making, both positively or negatively. You should be creative, flexible and non-judgmental in finding ways to participate that will work for young people with whom you are engaging. You should be creative, flexible and non-judgmental in finding ways to participate that will work for young people with whom you are engaging.

5. Skills to Implement Youth Involvement Communication Listening Relationship Building Advocacy Planning Administrative Problem-solving Risk Management Educational Marketing Time Management Organisational Leadership Programming Funding Motivational Group Work Guidance/Support Boundary Setting Conflict Management

6. Youth Participation Is about directly involving young people in decision-making processes that impact on their lives. Is about directly involving young people in decision-making processes that impact on their lives. Can be about: Can be about: The youth provision they attend The youth provision they attend A Single Youth Organisation or Group A Single Youth Organisation or Group Council / Public Services Council / Public Services Other services/structures that affect them Other services/structures that affect them

7. Youth Participation Practical Practical Achievable Achievable Specific Specific Supported Supported I nvolving I nvolving Objectives Objectives Needs Needs

8. Barriers to Youth Involvement Expectations Time Language/Jargon Location Safety Disability Finance Cynicism Awareness of Rights Peer influence Group Dynamics Co-worker differences Perceived Outcomes Self-confidence Discrimination Cultural

9. One-off Consultation Ongoing Group Work Integrated Participatory Peer Education Peer Mentoring Peer Research Methods of Youth Participation

10. Young people involved in planning and running sessions Young people involved in planning and running sessions Young people managing aspects of the provision e.g. canteen, information displays, chair meetings Young people managing aspects of the provision e.g. canteen, information displays, chair meetings Members meetings - can propose policies, undertake work, become a youth forum Members meetings - can propose policies, undertake work, become a youth forum Youth Forum - a framework for young people to represent their views Youth Forum - a framework for young people to represent their views Young people undertaking consultation of their peers Young people undertaking consultation of their peers Peer Education projects Peer Education projects Peer Mentoring projects Peer Mentoring projects Acting as young leaders, following training Acting as young leaders, following training Undertaking research or evaluations, alongside workers Undertaking research or evaluations, alongside workers

11. Youth Participation National- UK Youth Parliament Regional- North West Regional Assembly Local Authority- Youth Council, Connexions Neighbourhood- Forums Locality- Involvement in the planning, delivery and evaluation of provision

12. Training & Accreditation This should be a key element in planning how to develop youth participation. This should be a key element in planning how to develop youth participation. Young people should be given the tools to enable them to be involved. This is both to be fair to them and their peers. Young people should be given the tools to enable them to be involved. This is both to be fair to them and their peers. All young people participating in running youth provision should be registered for the D of E Award, Millennium Volunteers, Open College Network or other accreditation available plus your own certification. All young people participating in running youth provision should be registered for the D of E Award, Millennium Volunteers, Open College Network or other accreditation available plus your own certification. The opportunity to participate should be open to all young people attending a provision. The opportunity to participate should be open to all young people attending a provision.