Increase meaningful participation of children and youth
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Vision of the desired state: Children and youth of all ages meaningfully participate (before, throughout and after their families are engaged in the family justice system) in decision-making that affects them.
Contents
Background
The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) asserts that participation is a fundamental right of children and youth – a right they carry with them from birth and across all parts of their life. Participation promotes healthy development, and respects human dignity and agency. What meaningful participation looks like will depend on the stage of development of the child or youth and their circumstances. It must be implemented with due regard for the safety of the child, and with a presumption of their capacity to participate. It includes the child or youth being: informed in ways they can understand; consulted about their views; involved in making decisions; and empowered to exercise their agency.
Vision of the desired state: Children and youth of all ages meaningfully participate (before, throughout and after their families are engaged in the family justice system) in decision-making that affects them.
Three general strategic objectives to obtain this desired state are:
- Provide, at different stages, various opportunities for children and youth to participate meaningfully in ways that are safe and developmentally appropriate.
- Across all sectors, support children and youth to make their participation meaningful, including by helping them to develop their capacity to participate effectively.
- Educate family members, service providers, legal professionals, judges and others interacting with children and youth, about how important participation is to the well-being of children and youth, and how to support it effectively.
Family members are defined broadly to include parents, extended family and any adults with whom the child or youth has a bond of affection.
Tools and Resources
Solutions and Tools focused on this objective.
Promising Practices and Case Studies
Examples from communities that have implemented tools focused on this objective
Scorecard Building
Actions to Take
Actions for Coalitions
Actions for Individuals
