Sir Paul Ennals, Chair of Children’s Workforce Development Council (CWDC) has written an article for Children and Young People Now stating that participation “is one of the most important themes that should be running through children and youth services”. He also says participation “lies at the heart of tackling much of the disengagement that many young people feel from their society, and it has a key part to play in supporting emotional and social development and preparing young people for adult responsibilities.”
He believes that many people think active involvement is a good thing but that it’s not always considered essential and is therefore quickly sacrificed when organisations need to slash their budgets.
Ennals points to schools as actively using participation in a number of ways including the use of school councils to debate important issues including pupil behavior, budget management and pupils helping to recruit staff.
He concludes: "practical evidence supports it; good participation work is cost-effective and brings positive results. If we are to secure jobs for the next generation, and secure their greater buy-in to their communities, we need to take much more seriously the art of participation."
Fri, 12/08/2011 - 16:58
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A new package to develop local staff to support and train young people to conduct objective assessments of local services and support recommendations for service improvements.
