‘Children and young people ‘have the right to say what they think should happen when adults are making decisions that affect them and have their opinions taken into account’.
– The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) Article 12.
In June 2012 the DFE’s issued Statutory Guidance for Local Authorities (LAs) on Services and Activities to Improve Young People’s Well-being under Section 507B of the Education and Inspections Act 2006. The guidance stated that ‘LAs must take steps to ascertain the views of young people and to take them into account in making decisions about services and activities for them, in line with Article 12 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). They should establish and maintain structured arrangements for doing so. To inform continuous improvement, these arrangements should enable young people to inspect and report at least annually on the quality and accessibility of provision. As appropriate they should also be involved actively in service design, delivery and governance. Young people should receive the support they need to participate, ensuring representation of the full diversity of local young people, and those who may not otherwise have a voice.
To find out how this will be achieved and including the aim and objectives, resourcing, and background information please click here for the full document. Guidance was updated in September 2023 and can be read here.
Opportunities for Young People
Are you looking to get involved? if you answered yes, check out opportunities for young people below. We update opportunities regularly so please come and take a look here again.
Individual organisations are invited to list their opportunity(ies) on our page for free. However, the YWU take no responsibility for the content of external opportunity listings.
Do you have an opportunity for young people you want us to advertise? Contact the team on theunit@youthworkunit.com
Shout Out UK and the NCS invite you to a free CPD session on Empowering Youth for Active Citizenship
View the provider's website for more information
Resources for Young People
Here is an ever-growing bank of resources you may find useful for when working with young people. Unless clearly stated these resources are not created by the Youth Work Unit and therefore, they can not be responsible for their content.
If you have any resources, you think may be useful to others and are able/happy to share it please email theunit@youthworkunit.com.