2.3 Explain the importance of active participation of children and young people in decisions affecting their lives

This. guide will help you answer2.3 Explain the importance of active participation of children and young people in decisions affecting their lives.

Active participation means involving children and young people in the decisions that affect their daily lives, their care, and their future. This is more than asking their opinion. It requires that they are listened to, that their thoughts are given value, and that their views are considered when choices are made.

It is different from passive involvement, where adults decide everything and children are only informed afterwards. In active participation, children have a real role in shaping what happens to them.

This approach supports their rights under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which promotes the right for children to have their voices heard in matters that affect them.

Active participation applies in many areas, including education, health care, social care, fostering, residential care, and youth work settings.

Active Participation and Personal Development

Taking part in decisions helps children develop confidence. They learn that what they think matters. When they see that their opinions can lead to changes, they feel valued.

It develops communication skills. Talking through options, asking questions, and explaining their ideas improves how they express themselves.

Active participation promotes independence. When children think about choices and their consequences, they start taking responsibility for their actions.

It also builds problem-solving skills. Making decisions teaches them to weigh up options and consider possible outcomes.

Building Trust and Respect

When adults involve children in decisions, it shows respect for their views. This strengthens the relationship between the child and the adult.

Trust grows when children see that their involvement leads to real changes or that their wishes are genuinely considered even if the outcome is not exactly what they preferred.

By creating a culture of respect, children are more likely to speak up in the future. This helps across all areas of life, including education, relationships, and employment later on.

Developing a Sense of Ownership

When children help make decisions, they are more likely to support them. They feel the decision is theirs too, rather than something imposed on them.

This sense of ownership can lead to higher levels of engagement in activities, better behaviour, and more commitment to achieving agreed goals.

For example, a young person choosing how to decorate their bedroom is more likely to take care of it. A school pupil involved in discussing classroom rules is more motivated to follow them.

Supporting Emotional Wellbeing

Having a voice in decisions can reduce feelings of frustration and helplessness. It helps children feel in control of their lives, even in small ways.

Children who are not given a say may feel ignored or powerless. This can lead to low self-esteem, anxiety, or withdrawal.

On the other hand, active participation gives them a safe space to express worries, preferences, or needs. This often leads to better emotional health and stronger resilience.

Encouraging Social Responsibility

Being involved in decisions helps children see that their choices affect others.

For example:

• Deciding on group activities can teach them to balance their own preferences with those of their peers.
• Discussing school rules helps them see the value of fairness and working together.

This shared responsibility helps in building empathy. Children start to understand the views and feelings of people around them.

Meeting Legal and Policy Requirements

UK law and guidance support the idea that children and young people should have a say. The Children Act 1989 and later amendments stress listening to the wishes and feelings of the child. Care planning regulations in England require that professionals seek and take account of the child’s views when planning their care or placement.

Ofsted and local safeguarding policies also promote active participation as part of safeguarding and promoting welfare.

Professionals are expected to create ways for children and young people to express their voice, not just as a one-off event, but as part of everyday practice.

Reducing Conflict and Resistance

When children have no input, they may resist decisions or try to challenge them later.

Involving them from the start helps to:

• Reduce misunderstandings
• Increase acceptance of agreed actions
• Identify possible problems before they happen

For instance, involving a young person in planning their learning targets can reduce school refusal. They are more likely to engage because the goals make sense to them.

Enhancing Learning and Participation Skills

Active participation is itself a skill. Children learn how to listen to others, how to negotiate, and how to put forward ideas clearly.

These skills prepare them for adulthood, where they will take part in more complex decision-making, such as managing finances, choosing career options, or being part of community groups.

Early practice in a supportive setting means they are better prepared for these responsibilities later.

Examples in Practice

Active participation can take many forms:

• Asking a child what they would like for lunch choices and including their preference in the menu
• Holding regular group meetings in a youth club to decide trip destinations
• Involving a child in their care plan review meeting
• Consulting students about changes to school uniform or timetable
• Allowing choices in play and learning activities

The key is that the child sees a link between their input and the decision. Token consultation, where their voice is asked for but ignored, damages trust.

Using Age-Appropriate Methods

Younger children may need visual aids like pictures or drawings instead of complex conversation. Their choices can be shown in simple ways like picking a picture of a meal they want.

Older children may prefer written feedback forms, online surveys, or one-to-one discussions.

Children with disabilities or communication needs might use sign language, communication boards, or assistive technology.

The method chosen should give them a fair chance to express themselves in a way that suits them.

Overcoming Barriers to Active Participation

Workers may face barriers such as:

• Time pressures
• Assumptions that children are too young to understand
• Communication difficulties
• Cultural differences in expressing opinion
• Settings where adults are not trained in participation techniques

Overcoming these requires planning. It could mean setting aside specific times for consultation, training staff in listening skills, or providing communication aids.

Role of the Worker

The worker needs to create a safe and open environment where children feel welcome to share their views.

This includes:

• Listening without judgement
• Explaining the decision-making process clearly
• Giving honest feedback on how their views have been used
• Making sure there is follow-up so participation is not a one-off

Respecting confidentiality is key. Children must feel safe that their thoughts will not be used against them or shared inappropriately.

Benefits for Services and Organisations

Active participation improves service quality. Feedback from children can highlight what works and what needs to change.

It can increase trust between children, families, and professionals.

It can help services meet inspection standards, as agencies are judged on how they involve service users in planning and reviewing provision.

Creating a Culture of Participation

Participation is most effective when it becomes a normal way of working. This means every decision that affects a child’s life, no matter how small, is approached with the idea that they have a voice.

This culture comes from leadership support, clear policies, and regular practice. Workers at all levels need to share the same belief that children have the right to be heard.

Final Thoughts

Active participation of children and young people in decisions is about respect, rights, and relationships. It helps them grow into confident, responsible, and engaged adults. It benefits their self-esteem, emotional wellbeing, and life skills.

For workers, it is both a professional expectation and a way to create a more positive, supportive environment. Encouraging active participation makes decisions more likely to succeed, builds trust, and improves outcomes for children and young people.

For genuine impact, it needs to be a regular practice, not just a one-off event. The more children experience being listened to, the stronger their voice becomes and the better prepared they are for the future.