This guidance sets out young people’s vision and aspirations for youth engagement and participation in Angus. It was co-produced with young people to support services to meaningfully engage young people when services are developing programmes, plans and policies.
You can also download a PDF version of the guidance.
Why engage young people
Young people are valued members of our society. They are distinctive individuals who contribute to family, school and community and play a vital role as active citizens.
UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) is incorporated into Scots Law and places duties on Public Authorities and some private bodies, to meaningfully engage young people in decisions that affect them.
Article 12 of UNCRC, addresses the principle of participation and the right to be heard. It is interlinked with all other articles. Article 12 says ‘every child has the right to express their views in all matters affecting them and to have their views considered and taken seriously’.
Angus Core Principles
Young people in Angus identified the following principles they feel are important to them when services involve them in decision-making. These principles will guide services to meaningfully engage young people and should be used to make your engagement activities the best it can be.
Young people have asked services to:
- Co-produce the engagement activities by working in partnership with young people.
- Guarantee their involvement is voluntary and the topic is relevant to those involved.
- Provide safe spaces at suitable times in agreement with young people.
- Help young people understand the purpose of the engagement, what we they can influence and them help shape their views.
- Ensure the engagement is inclusive and remove barriers for young people who want to take part.
- Respectfully and actively listen to young people and always value their opinions.
- Safeguard young people, and only share their views from the engagement with their consent.
- Communicate effectively with young people, using child friendly language, suitable social media and digital platforms, and other appropriate methods.
- Keep young people informed throughout the engagement process and feedback the outcome of the engagement to them.
- Evaluate the engagement and its impact.
Young people in Angus identified social media and digital platforms, and other methods for communicating and engaging with them. They categorized barriers to be removed to support their involvement. You can find out more by clicking guidance link above.
Empowering Young People in Angus
Collaborating with young people at each stage of the decision-making process, finding preferred solutions together and placing decisions in their hands will empower our young people.