Participatory rights for children and young people

Children and young people have the potential capacity to participate in decision-making processes. They have unique perspectives on their lives.

Children and young people have a right to:

• have a say about what is important to them
• be listened to
• be treated with respect
• be provided with information about how they will be involved in decision making
• be given information in a language they understand and a format that is appropriate to them
• participate in a way that suits them
• be given clear objectives and limits for decision making
• be prepared for what will happen in a decision-making process and who will be there
• be given time and space so they can say what they mean
• have a support person with them in a decision-making process, such as a relative or worker they trust
• be given feedback about what will happen with the information they provide
• provide their own feedback on the decision-making process
• refuse to participate or withdraw from a process at any time
• benefit from their participation.