Involving children and young people in developing social care

Key messages

Adopt a whole systems approach

Organisations need to adopt a whole systems approach to participation to affect change or improvement in their services. This approach suggests that there are four parts of service development that need to be considered:

It is helpful to consider these as pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. Using this model, participation is not about reaching the top of a hierarchy or ladder. It is about putting different pieces of the puzzle together in a way that can support organisations at different points in their journey towards involving children and young people.

Link: Introducing a whole systems approach.

Develop a culture of participation

Link: Culture.

Develop a structure for participation

Link: Structure.

Develop effective practice for participation

Link: Practice.

Develop effective systems to review participation

Link: Review.