Who is listening?

We think it’s important for children and young people to participate at all levels of our organisation and beyond.

• Individual – Plans and decisions that impact my life and my family
• Operational – Plans and decisions that aim to improve the services I access
• Strategic – Plans and decisions that influence the design, direction and priorities of services

This means that we are all listening, whether we are working with a young person on an individual, operational or strategic level. The principles and guidance in this document are for everyone in Devon’s Children’s Services.

“Good communication is always collaborative – you can only make things better if you listen”
Devon Youth Council

How will we listen?

The Lundy Model of Participation

The Devon Youth Participation team recommend the use of the Lundy model of child participation, which is based on article 12 of the UNRC. All parts of this model are important to ensure that we are listening in a meaningful way.

Space

A situation where we feel comfortable to share our views.

We will ask ourselves these questions:

• Am I meeting you in an accessible space where you feel comfortable and secure?
• What else is this space used for? Is this going to affect the meeting or how you feel about this space afterwards?
• Have you had time to get to know and trust me? If not, have you had the chance to share your views with someone else you know and trust?
• Have I developed a trusting relationship with you where you know a bit about me as an equal human being?

From Top Tips for Workers:

• “Make sure I feel safe and comfortable in meetings”
• “Get to know me and respect me”
• ”Be human”

What Devon young people say:

“I like meeting outside in a park, rather than being shut in a room”

“It’s hard to concentrate in lessons after I have had those meetings”

“If I don’t feel comfortable and secure, I won’t say what I really think”

Voice

The right support to express our views.

We will ask ourselves these questions:

• Have I asked you how you like to communicate and considered any speech and language challenges?
• Have I offered you a way to communicate with me when I am not there?
• Have I clearly explained to you how your views will be recorded and who they will be shared with?
• If you are speaking on an individual level, have I shown you how to use Mind of My Own and the feedback form/ complaints process?
• Have I offered advocacy where needed?
• Have I explored accessibility tools with you if needed?
• Am I sure that you understand what is going on?

From Top Tips for Workers:

• “Use language that cares”
• “Respect my confidentiality”
• ”Make sure I understand what is happening and involve me in decisions”

What Devon young people say:

“Let us get to know a bit about you too. Don’t be a robot”

“Put yourself in my shoes – would you be able to express yourself in this situation?”

Audience

The people listening must have the power to make decisions

We will ask ourselves these questions:

• Are you raising an individual, operational or strategic issue?
• Am I part of the right team to make this change? If not, how can I ensure that your views are shared with the right audience?’
• Is there anyone else who should be here too?
• If the issue is about operational or strategic change, have I introduced you to the Youth Participation team?
• Is it possible for me to work together with you to develop change?

From Top Tips for Workers:

• “Work with and for me, not about me”

What Devon young people say:

“I hate repeating myself over and over again – like, what’s the point in saying anything if no one is really listening?”

“I love those light bulb moments when you can see they finally get it and you know something will actually change!”

Influence

We need to know what is happening as a result.

We will ask ourselves these questions:

• Is our agreed plan of action workable with clear timescales?
• How can I involve you in any actions or decisions that are taking place?
• Is it possible to co-produce the solution with you and other partners?
• Have I made sure you know that you have been heard and are aware of what the next steps are?
• If I know that there will be a wait for a service or action, how can I keep in touch during the wait so that you are reassured?
• Have I considered the accessibility of my communication?

From Top Tips for Workers:

• “Do your best for me and my family”
• “Keep in touch regularly and make time for me”
• “Do what you say you’re going to do”

What Devon young people say:

“It was an amazing feeling to know that sharing my views resulted in such an important change for so many others”

“I get anxious if I don’t know what is happening so please let me know and also check I understood it”

Co-production

Participation with young people is a process, and young people will be at different points within that. For some young people taking first steps into participation, it will be enough for them to be consulted on issues, others may be ready to chair a decision-making board. We recognise that both these things will hold value for the young people. However, aiming for co-production and providing opportunities for young people to work with us at every stage should always be the ambition.

Co-production is a journey together over time which will have a clear goal- the ultimate aim in terms of impact – and several stepping stones to get to that goal. The stepping stones will involve activities, smaller outputs and times of reflection and adjustment, all of which are important elements of co-production.

“I like it when we are involved from the start and have time to really work together on co-production. Sometimes it’s very short notice and you are expected to drop everything to take part, which can make it feel like a tick-box.”
Devon Youth Council

Devon youth council young people feel co-production is meaningful when:

• You ask us first (what is working and what needs changing)
• You don’t guess what we want
• You understand that our ideas might be different to the adults around us (but both are important)
• You give us enough time and resources to do the work
• You keep us updated about what is happening in between
• You provide information in a range of ways that we understand

Why do we listen?

“When the whole world is silent, even one voice becomes powerful. But when millions of voices speak out together, we can change the world”
Malala Yousafzai

Greater levels of participation can result in a wide range of benefits for children and young people, service providers, and communities.

Children and young people

• I have got better at making decisions and telling people what’s important.
• I am more confident and feel good about myself.
• I have been able to make new friends, had lots of fun and learnt new things.
• I feel better about being in a group and working with other people.
• I feel more in control of my life.
• I feel like I have really achieved something and people are proud of me.
• Making change for others makes some sense to me out of the bad times. I can use those negative experiences for good.

Service providers

• What we are offering to young people is better than before. We know that we are meeting their needs because they have helped us make the service better.
• In terms of finance, I am more confident that our budget is being used in the right way
• I know my team are listening to children and putting them at the heart of what we do. Staff feel motivated and focused.
• We can evidence the impact of our work
• We are collaborating better with our partners and listening together

Communities

• Better community relationships between children, young people and adults
• Improved sense of identity and belonging.
• Enhanced citizenship and political education – a community that is empowered and confident.
• Services that work in partnership for the benefit of the community