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June 2007: 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 below our first member interview. If you would like to take part contact Claire Grant at Claire@participationworks.org.uk

 

 
Stephanie Alison, Camden Children’s Fund

Stephanie Alison, Consultation and Participation Officer at Camden Children’s Fund

We spoke to Stephanie Alison,  to find out more about how they engage with and involve children and young people in decision-making and service delivery.

Camden’s Children Fund was set up in 2001 as part of the Government’s strategy to tackle child poverty and social exclusion for children aged 5-13 and their families. Participation of children and young people in projects to improve their life chances forms a key part of this strategy.

Describe your Role
I have been a Consultation and Participation Officer in Camden since 2002.  I work part-time and support Camden Children's Fund projects to involve children, young people and their parents.  We have involved children in all stages of our projects from planning to evaluation.  We have developed young evaluators, peer research, involving children in recruitment, and a newsletter written by children.  As part of mainstreaming our Children's Fund work I am now supporting the delivery of Camden's Consultation and Involvement Strategy for children and young people.   We want to increase children's participation so I'm looking at how we can involve children in decision-making in Camden.  It would be great to hear what other local authorities are doing or planning.  stephanie.allison@camden.gov.uk.
 
What makes a good participation worker?
Being able to establish good relationships with children and being flexible to adapt what you are doing to different needs and preferences.  My background in research has been helpful in terms of knowing how to gain the views of children.  Good organisation and planning skills are vital.  Promoting children's involvement and looking for opportunities where children can have a say is an essential part of the role.


What are the barriers to involving children and young people?
Children's participation is often short term or project based and the challenge is to establish long-term sustainable participation opportunities for children.  The increase in consulting and involving children and young people has been very positive.  However, the demands for children's views at short notice without enough time to plan is a barrier to effective participation.  It can feel like children are being asked their views to tick the box rather than out of any true commitment to participation.  Having clearer decision making processes and sharing power would enable children to get more involved in decision-making.
 
What are the benefits?
Increased confidence and self-esteem have the most impact.  Participation provides many opportunities for developing skills such as communication and working as a team and learning about a range of topics including journalism, design, recruitment, and how a local authority works.  Delivering services that truly meet the needs of children is another major benefit.
 
What tips do you have for effective participation?
Make time for planning, ensure there are clear aims and make sure children really understand what they are doing.  Use a range of activities to suit different children and take the children's lead by using their ideas.  It's important to have fun too.  Follow up on children's thoughts and suggestions and let them know what happens.
 
What is effective participation?
Effective participation is involving children in decisions that will affect them and other children.  Effective participation should benefit the children involved as well as the projects and services they are making decisions about.  It crucial not to just ask children what they think but to act on what they say.
 
For more information about Camden and Camden Children's Fund 

Click here to visit Camden Children's Fund site

Click here to visit the CCF page on the Camden Council site