Participation Works

The Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) are now recruiting for 25 children and young people aged between 8 and 18 to form the Children and Youth Board for 2009-11.

The role of the Board is to advise Ministers and policy officials on the development of policy and practice that affects the lives of children and young people in England.

The Children and Youth Board provides an opportunity for children and young people to gain knowledge of how government works and policymaking while working as part of a team with other children and young people from a range of backgrounds across England. They will gain valuable new skills and experiences. Speaking about their involvement, a member from the last Board, which ran from 2007-09 said:

“The whole experience was mind blowing, I learnt so much about how the government works, including how Ministers’ plans can change any second.  Helping with the Children’s Plan and seeing the result was great.  I hope other young people get a chance to do it too!”

DCSF are looking for children and young people from all backgrounds across the nine government regions in England to apply to form the Board. Children and young people do not need to have previous experience of being involved in similar projects to apply. Enthusiasm and a keen interest in working as part of a team to influence decisions that affect the lives of children and young people and ensure that the voices of children and young people are heard by Government and policymakers are all that is required.

The National Children’s Bureau (NCB) has been commissioned to coordinate the Children and Youth Board 2009-11. The application pack can be downloaded from the NCB website. To request a hard copy of the application pack or for any questions regarding the Board contact Sarah Chittenden at schittenden@ncb.org.uk or telephone 0207 843 6103.

The deadline for applications is Monday 29 June, 10am.

Fri, 22/05/2009 - 14:06