Service evaluation of a training initiative in participatory practice with children and young people for early help professionals
| Date | 19 November 2024 |
| Pages | 283-297 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/JCS-06-2023-0034 |
| Published date | 19 November 2024 |
| Author | Bernadette Martin,Julie Fox,Philip John Archard,Steven Lucas,Karima Susi,Michelle O’Reilly |
Service evaluation of a training initiative in
participatory practice with children and
young people for early help professionals
Bernadette Martin, Julie Fox, Philip John Archard, Steven Lucas, Karima Susi and
Michelle O’Reilly
Abstract
Purpose –The purpose of this paperis to report findings from a service evaluation of a traininginitiative
in participatory practice with children and young people (CYP) for early help (EH) professionals. The
trainingwas based on the Lundy model of child participation.
Design/methodology/approach –A questionnaire-based survey was undertaken of staff completing
the training.Within the sample of professionalssurveyed, various work contextswere represented.
Findings –Reported benefitsarising from the training included increased understandingof the utility of
the tenets of the Lundymodel, as well as changes in practice with CYP.Barriers and issues encountered
in seeking to work in a participatory way were identified in relation to time for relationship-building,
resourcesand interprofessional and interagencyworking.
Originality/value –The evaluation findings provide insight into ways training in participatory practice
with CYP is experienced by EH professionals. The role of networks of practitioner champions in
influencing participatorypractice is also addressed, as well as the interfacebetween participatory and
relationship-basedpractice.
Keywords Child participation, Children’s rights, Early help, Lundy model, Participation,
Relationship-based practice, Training
Paper type Case study
Introduction
Founded on the United Nations (UN) Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989) and
fundamental to the underlying principles of the Children Act (England and Wales) (1989),
there is a legal imperative recognising children and young people’s (CYP’s) right to be
involved in decisions regarding issues that affect them, i.e. to be afforded space to form
views, express them and be heard. This right to participate extends across health care,
child welfare and child protection settings (Archard and Skivenes, 2009;Kennan et al.,
2018;Kiili et al.,2021;McCafferty, 2017;Skauge et al.,2021;van Bijleveld et al., 2015).
In early intervention and early help (EH)service provision in the UK, CYP’s participation can
be constrained by a range of different factors, including professional and family knowledge
and understanding (which often reflect preconceived ideas about the competence
possessed by CYP as social actors), as well as power differentials between professionals,
families and children (Boylan and Dalrymple, 2011;Thomas, 2002). Value-based
assumptions about CYP’s vulnerability in the context of family troubles and challenges in
involving them in discussion affect dialogue with both family members, especially parents,
and professionals (Dalrymple, 2002;Lucas, 2017). These matters are reflected in the
resourcing of direct work with CYP and efforts to facilitate relationships with professionals.
(Informationabout the
authorscan be found at the
end of this article.)
Received 16 June 2023
Revised 3 March 2024
18 September 2024
Accepted 19 September 2024
This service evaluation
received no specific grant from
any funding agency in the
public, commercial, or not-for-
profit sectors. The authors wish
to extend their thanks to all the
professionals who completed
the survey questionnaire.
DOI 10.1108/JCS-06-2023-0034 VOL. 19 NO. 4 2024, pp. 283-297, ©Emerald Publishing Limited, ISSN 1746-6660 jJOURNAL OF CHILDREN’S SERVICES jPAGE 283
Get this document and AI-powered insights with a free trial of vLex and Vincent AI
Get Started for FreeStart Your Free Trial of vLex and Vincent AI, Your Precision-Engineered Legal Assistant
-
Access comprehensive legal content with no limitations across vLex's unparalleled global legal database
-
Build stronger arguments with verified citations and CERT citator that tracks case history and precedential strength
-
Transform your legal research from hours to minutes with Vincent AI's intelligent search and analysis capabilities
-
Elevate your practice by focusing your expertise where it matters most while Vincent handles the heavy lifting
Start Your Free Trial of vLex and Vincent AI, Your Precision-Engineered Legal Assistant
-
Access comprehensive legal content with no limitations across vLex's unparalleled global legal database
-
Build stronger arguments with verified citations and CERT citator that tracks case history and precedential strength
-
Transform your legal research from hours to minutes with Vincent AI's intelligent search and analysis capabilities
-
Elevate your practice by focusing your expertise where it matters most while Vincent handles the heavy lifting
Start Your Free Trial of vLex and Vincent AI, Your Precision-Engineered Legal Assistant
-
Access comprehensive legal content with no limitations across vLex's unparalleled global legal database
-
Build stronger arguments with verified citations and CERT citator that tracks case history and precedential strength
-
Transform your legal research from hours to minutes with Vincent AI's intelligent search and analysis capabilities
-
Elevate your practice by focusing your expertise where it matters most while Vincent handles the heavy lifting
Start Your Free Trial of vLex and Vincent AI, Your Precision-Engineered Legal Assistant
-
Access comprehensive legal content with no limitations across vLex's unparalleled global legal database
-
Build stronger arguments with verified citations and CERT citator that tracks case history and precedential strength
-
Transform your legal research from hours to minutes with Vincent AI's intelligent search and analysis capabilities
-
Elevate your practice by focusing your expertise where it matters most while Vincent handles the heavy lifting
Start Your Free Trial of vLex and Vincent AI, Your Precision-Engineered Legal Assistant
-
Access comprehensive legal content with no limitations across vLex's unparalleled global legal database
-
Build stronger arguments with verified citations and CERT citator that tracks case history and precedential strength
-
Transform your legal research from hours to minutes with Vincent AI's intelligent search and analysis capabilities
-
Elevate your practice by focusing your expertise where it matters most while Vincent handles the heavy lifting