Participation Framework

Participation Framework

The National Framework for Children and Young People’s Participation in Decision-making supports departments, agencies and organisations to improve their participation practice with children and young people.

What is the Framework?

The Framework supports departments, agencies and organisations to improve their practice in listening to children and young people and giving them a voice in decision-making. It was developed as a collaboration between the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Hub na nÓg and Professor Laura Lundy of Queens University, Belfast. It is underpinned by:

  • the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989)
  • the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (2006) and
  • the Irish National Strategy on Children and Young People’s Participation in Decision-making (2015-2020)

Framework Model
The Framework is based on the child rights model of participation developed by Professor Laura Lundy, Queens University, which provides guidance for decision-makers on the steps to take in giving children and young people a meaningful voice in decision-making.

what is the framework logo

Framework Vision – Participation With Purpose

Participation with purpose means that when children and young people are involved in decision-making, their views are listened to, taken seriously and given due weight with the intention of leading to an outcome or change. The Framework gives guidance on implementing participation with purpose by explaining:

01

What participation is and what it is not

02

How to involve children and young people in decision- making

03

How to ensure the involvement of seldom-heard children

04

How to follow- up and give feedback to children and young people

05

How to be realistic with children and young people

Launch of the National Framework for Children and Young People’s Participation in Decision-Making

On April 14th 2021, the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O’Gorman TD, launched the ‘National Framework for Children and Young People’s Participation in Decision-Making’.

Developed by Hub na nÓg in association with Professor Laura Lundy, Queen’s University, the Participation Framework provides guidance and checklists for decision-makers on the steps to take in giving children and young people a meaningful voice in decision-making. Participation with purpose means that when children and young people are involved in decision-making, their views are listened to, taken seriously and given due weight with the intention of leading to an outcome or change.

Launch of the National Framework for Children and Young People’s Participation in Decision- Making

On April 14th 2021, the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O’Gorman TD, launched the ‘National Framework for Children and Young People’s Participation in Decision-Making’.

Developed by Hub na nÓg in association with Professor Laura Lundy, Queen’s University, the Participation Framework provides guidance and checklists for decision-makers on the steps to take in giving children and young people a meaningful voice in decision-making. Participation with purpose means that when children and young people are involved in decision-making, their views are listened to, taken seriously and given due weight with the intention of leading to an outcome or change.

Framework Checklists

The Framework contains a series of checklists to guide decision-makers in the use of the Lundy model and good practice principles in planning and implementing the involvement of children and young people in decision-making.

Planning Checklist

Gives guidance to departments, agencies and organisations on listening to children and young people and involving them in decision-making in the development of policies, plans, services, programmes, governance, research and legislation at national, local and organisational level.

Evaluation Checklist

A tool for self-evaluation and external evaluation to be used by departments, agencies and organisations following the completion of policies, plans, services, programmes, governance, research and legislation.

Everyday Spaces Checklist

Gives guidance to teachers, early learning and care and school aged childcare practitioners, social workers, youth workers, youth club volunteers, sports coaches, arts and cultural workers and other adults on listening to children and young people and giving them a voice in decision-making in everyday spaces or settings, in person or online.

Evaluation Forms for
Children and Young People

The Framework also contains a number of child/youth evaluation forms to be completed by children and young people at the end of meetings, events or activities.

Child/Youth Evaluation Form for Groups Meeting Face-to- Face

This form enables children and young people to evaluate face-to-face meetings or consultations.

Child/Youth Evaluation Forms for Groups Meeting Online

This form enables children and young people to evaluate online meetings, consultations, surveys and other activities.

Child/Youth Evaluation Form for Individuals

This form enables children and young people to evaluate meetings and other engagements with adult decision-makers either in person or online.

As Gaeilge

Tá roinnt foirmeacha meastóireachta leanaí/óg atá le comhlánú ag leanaí agus daoine óga ag deireadh cruinnithe, imeachtaí nó gníomhaíochtaí sa Chreat freisin

Foirm Mheastóireachta Páistí/Óige do Ghrúpaí a Chruinníonn duine le duine

Cuireann an fhoirm seo ar chumas leanaí agus daoine óga cruinnithe nó comhairliúcháin duine le duine a mheas.

Foirmeacha Meastóireachta Páistí/Óige do Chruinnithe Grúpaí Ar Líne

Cuireann an fhoirm seo ar chumas leanaí agus daoine óga cruinnithe ar líne, comhairliúcháin, suirbhéanna agus gníomhaíochtaí eile a mheas.

Foirm Mheastóireachta Páistí/Óige do Dhaoine Aonair

Cuireann an fhoirm seo ar chumas Páistí agus daoine óga measúnú a dhéanamh ar chruinnithe agus ar theagmhálacha eile le cinnteoirí fásta go pearsanta nó ar líne.