Jersey’s first Participation Standards, setting out how to involve children and young people in Government decision-making has launched today.
The need to involve children and young people in policy and decision making was one of the key priorities set out by the new Chief Minister and Minister for Children and Education in the Government’s 100 Day Plan.
To achieve this, Jersey’s first set of Participation Standards have been co-created, and outlines how to do meaningful participation and engagement with children and young people, and to ensure their views are heard and respected.
Islanders were invited to have their say on creating the Participation Standards by completing an anonymous survey. This child-friendly survey, which explained what Participation Standards are, was shared through Government of Jersey communication channels, and with schools, colleges, nurseries, and charities who work with children, young people, and families in Jersey.
The Department for Children, Young People, Education and Skills (CYPES) got the views and feedback of hundreds of children to co-create the Standards. CYPES held a workshop for university students in the summer, and a number of workshops last month for children, young people, schools, and organisations that work with them.
The Minister for Children and Education, Deputy Inna Gardiner, said: “Creating Participation Standards for engaging with children and young people provides an overarching framework to stimulate action and support continuous challenge.
”We are starting the process of embedding these standards within Government culture. Children and young people will have a voice in key pieces of work, such as Inclusion and Education Reform.
“We will keep these Standards under continual review, and on an annual basis, to ensure it remains relevant, dynamic, and aligned to policies and priorities.”
An online practical toolkit is now being developed from the feedback at the workshops and survey. This toolkit will support staff training on Participation Standards and provide practical examples of how to put the Standards into practice, as well as an online training course for children and young people on how they can actively engage.
Assistant Minister for Children and Education, Deputy Louise Doublet, said: “Good participation involves children and young people being actively listened to and supported to express their views.
“Critically, these views should have a genuine influence on policy development and children should receive feedback after they take the time to share their views.
“My ambition is for these Standards to contribute to a culture change whereby the needs of children and families are considered as a matter of course, throughout Government and all public life in Jersey.”
See the Participation Standards here
Government of Jersey News Release