The involvement in service users in decision making about healthcare has been a key theme across recent legislation and policy. Young people have a right to be involved in all decisions that affect them, and the right of young people to individual and collective participation is emphasised in a number of key documents.
Tools
Healthy Democracy (2006)
This book is a collaboration between Involve and the NHS Centre for Involvement containing new thinking and analysis from leading thinkers on patient and public involvement in health. It is aimed at a wide audience, including those who are new to the field of health involvement.
Hear by right and Health: how to improve children and young people’s participation in your hospital,
The Hear by Right and Health briefing shows how the Hear by Right standards framework works in a health setting to map evidence of current participation of young service users and to develop arrangements for improvement
Lightfoot and Sloper (2002) Having a say in health: guidelines for involving young patients in health service development
Draws together advice for NHS staff from young patients and staff with experience of Health service development projects
PALS online: PALS - Getting it right for children and young people
This report summarises the findings of recent consultations about PALS (Patient Advice and Liaison Service) and young people carried out by the National Children's Bureau (NCB).
Putting participation into practice
An overview of participation practice from social care, child mental health, education, youth services and services for children with disabilities. Case studies illustrate ways of involving children and young people in service development and in individual decision making.
You’re welcome quality criteria. Making health service young people friendly
Department of Health (2007). Sets out principles that will help health services become young people friendly.
