Participation is a right
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child states that anychild or young person has a right to express their views and have themgiven due weight in decisions affecting them, in accordance with theirage and maturity. Participation is not a privilege and it does not haveto be earned; rather, it values children and young people as citizens intheir own right. The UK has ratified the convention, and increasinglypublic services are required by law to take seriously children's wishesand feelings.
What should happen:
- A general acknowledgement by policy makers, service managers,practitioners, parents and the general public that children and youngpeople have a right to have their opinions taken into account in alldecisions affecting them, and that effective participation is essentialto achieving the best outcomes.
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