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January 2008: Spotlight Member

Did you know that members of the Participation Works Network for England work in a variety of different settings including participation, health, education, children’s rights, early years and childcare?

Children and young people’s participation is an integral part of all our network member’s work. Job titles of current members include participation workers, youth involvement officers, CAMHS Patient and Public Involvement Facilitators, youth workers, voice and influence officers, participation officers, children’s involvement officers and children’s rights officers.
 
To find out more about your fellow PWNE members and how to contact them search our database. (You need to join the network to be able to do this)

As part of the PWNE e-mail bulletin sent to all PWNE members we are introducing a new ‘spotlight member’ feature where we interview a network member  once a fortnight. This is your chance to find out about and  share your experiences of working in participation. Read current interview below. If you would like to take part contact Claire Grant at claire@participationworks.org.uk

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Jessica Gold, School Councils UK

Describe your role  
As Chief Executive of School Councils UK  I have a responsibility to ensure that we keep focussed on our mission of helping every school in this country have an effective school council. I have an overseeing role to ensure that the resources and training we provide for schools meets their needs and help them establish a strong student voice. In addition I am responsible for inspiring enough partners to support our work so that we are able to continue growing and supporting schools in the UK and beyond.

 

What makes a good participation worker?
A good participation worker is someone who appreciates that adults don’t always know whats best for young people, but rather understands that with support young people are able to identify ways forward for themselves. They want to work with young people to help them develop skills that enable them to be involved in improving their environment.

 

What are the barriers to involving children and young people?
In schools the most common barrier to involving children and young people is there not being a member of staff that has adequate time to work informally with young people. In addition there is not yet enough recognition of the benefits to young people and their schools of the positive impact of increasing participation and involvement.

 

What are the benefits?
There is growing evidence that schools that have strong and inclusive student councils are happier and more effective communities. Better relationships exist between students as well as between students and teachers. Students become more motivated and identify more strongly with their schools and teaching and learning improves. 

 

What tips do you have for effective participation of children and young people?
Make sure that young people have opportunities to receive leadership training. Make sure that participation isn’t an add on or an after thought but rather that structures are established that require regular input from young people. This will make young people feel confident that their efforts will make a difference and are valued.

 

What is effective participation?
Effective participation is when young people are empowered to take initiative and are enabled to work constructively with adults who are responsible for their well-being. In schools, effective participation will be established when the management believe that the school will only be the best it can be if teachers and students are working together.