βββVoice of Children and Young People
Involving children and young people in decision making is a priority for the Government of Jersey.
Children and young people have a right to be listened to under Article 12 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child .
Giving children a young people a voice was a recommendation of the Independent Jersey Care Inquiry to ensure that their voices are heard in relation to all matters affecting their lives, including the development of government and service policy.
Meaningful engagement of children and young people was one of the main priorities of the former Chief Minister's 100 Day Plan, in 2022, which saw the launch of Participation Standards.β
About Participation Standards Participation Standards were introduced in Jersey to ensure that children and young people who choose to have a say are:
listened to have their views included and their contributions respected and acted upon Good participation of children and young people goes beyond just giving them a voice.
It's a process that includes children and young people from start to finish and involves:
children and young people being actively listened to and supported to express their views views should have a genuine influence on policy development children should receive feedback after they take the time to share their views When involving children and young people in decision making, it is advised to review the Participation Standards and toolkits on this page which are publicly available to any organisation who wants to consult with children and young people. β
How our Participation Standards were created Islanders were invited to have their say on what should be included in the Participation Standards by completing a survey.
The child-friendly survey was shared through Government of Jersey communication channels and with schools, colleges, nurseries, and charities who work with children, young people, and families in Jersey.
Hundreds of children and young people, and those who work with them, helped to co-create the Participation Standards, and what they should look like and include.
The Department for Children, Young People, Education and Skills (CYPES):
hosted a workshop for university students and interns during the summer held workshops for children, young people, schools, and organisations that work with them to create the standards.β VIDEO
Thank you to all the children, young people and professionals for co-creating Participation Standards for Jersey.
VIDEO
βA child-friendly summary explaining the Participation Standards.
Workshops were also held in a number of schools and the feedback from students and teachers have shaped the first Participation Standards for Jersey.
You can read the full report, which contains all the feedback that was received during this consultation period, which led to the creation of the first Participation Standards and a toolkit for anyone who wants to engage with children and young people.
How to use the Participation Standards If you're involving children and young people in decision making, you should review the Participation Standards and toolkits.
The toolkit will help you see the most effective way to get children and young people engaged and involved.
The Participation Standards say that all children and young people should have the opportunity to be involved in decision making. However, it's important to remember that this is a choice. Children and young people have the right to choose to be involved, but they also have the right to change their mind.
If you're involving children and young people, it's important that the information is easy to:
You should support all children and young people in having their say. Some children may need extra support, but this should not stop them from being involved.
When you're asking children and young people for their views, it's important that this is done in a safe and secure way and that their views are:
respected valued treated with kindness Once all children and young people have been involved, it's important that you give them feedback on how their ideas and views made a difference.
Here are some resources to print and share with children and young people:
Toolkits for engaging with children and young people The Participation Standards Activity Toolkit was co-produced with hundreds of children, young people and professionals, who all took part in workshops and online sessions.
This resource toolkit is for government departments, services, organisations, community groups and adults who want to engage children and young people in effective decision-making.
The activity toolkit includes:
icebreakers fun activities with worksheets feedback forms for children and young people self-assessment form to check your work against the Standards Participation Activity Toolkit Having this activity toolkit alongside the Participation Standards means that any area of Government, as well as charities and any organisation that want to involve children and young people, will have the tools to do so effectively and meaningfully.
Toolkit for engaging with children and young people in Jersey This toolkit has been produced by the Jersey Youth Service in co-production with children and young people around the Island.
Toolkit for Early Childhood Participation: Engaging with and listening to babies and young children Listening to young children and involving them in decisions is important for their personal development and well-being. Their unique perspectives can lead to more effective and inclusive solutions.
Involving children in decisions doesn't just benefit them; it enriches families, early years' settings, and society as a whole.
This toolkit, from Best Start Jersey, has a collection of fun and engaging participation activities designed for babies and young children. They will help you to collect, understand and use their preferences, reactions, ideas and opinions in all kinds of ways.ββ
Engaging with and listening to babies and young children on YouTube
Toolkit for engaging with children and young people with care experience It's important that children and young people in care and care leavers are included, listened to and respected.
Children's Social Care Services have developed this Participation Strategy using the Lundy Model and Participation Standards with the help of:
care experienced children and young people foster carers and parents staff from Children's Social Care Services organisations and other partners
Your Say
The CYPES Department ensures that children and young people have a voice in the design delivery and monitoring of cross-government policies, programmes and services.
A dedicated Participation and Engagement unit delivers this commitment and is responsible for the Participation Standards and The School Council Network .β
If you want to get in touch, you can email us at yoursay@gov.jeβ
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