Participation and involvement
Schools that seek to improve emotional health and well-being among the whole school population have a strong commitment to partnership working and collective responsibility that actively involves and reflects the views of pupils, parents, carers and families.
Children and young people
The 'UN Convention on the Rights of the Child' (1991) states that all children and young people have the right to express their views freely in all matters affecting them.
The Scottish Parliament regularly refers to the need to consult with children and young people over national policy issues, while legislation has increasingly given children and young people rights to participate in decision-making and the planning of services.
The HeadsUpScotland draft Participation Plan highlights that we can promote emotional well-being among children and young people by providing ongoing opportunities that ensure they:
- are able to express their views freely in matters that affect them, regardless of age, ethnic origin, race, religion, gender, disability or sexuality
- have their views heard and taken into account by decision makers
- have access to information about their rights and how to ensure they are put into place
- have access to support, advice and advocacy services to ensure that their views are listened to and acted upon
- are provided with opportunities to participate in the planning and design of services that impact on their lives
- have a choice in how they participate, including the right not to
- have their participation valued through regular feedback, access to accredited programmes and forms of payment for their time.
The benefits to children and young people include opportunities for:
- personal development, particularly among those who are often excluded
- emotional well-being, promoted through the development of social networks and life choices
- challenging negative images and stereotypes concerning mental health issues
- empowering them to be creators of services, projects and activities – not just recipients of them
- enabling them to share their experiences and learn from each other.
For children and young people to be genuinely involved in decision-making and planning it is essential that they participate in a way that enables them to fully understand the subject in question and to feel comfortable in giving their views.
Parents, carers and families
A range of potential benefits to emotional well-being and ethos can be gained by involving parents, carers and families in all aspects of daily school life. For example:
- empowerment
- inclusion
- improved health
- improved achievement
- improved communication
- improved relationships
- support with projects and activities
- stronger community links.
There is also evidence that more participation, inclusion and the active involvement of parents leads to better emotional, social and education outcomes. These in turn lead to higher achievement and attainment, better behaviour and improved morale among pupils and staff.
Useful resources
Pupil Participation...It's our school
A toolkit providing practitioners with a range of ideas for developing or enhancing pupil participation in schools for children with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties. Also relevant to organisations, including mainstream schools, struggling to include young people whose behaviour is challenging.
Participation - spice it up!
A user-friendly and practical toolkit for engaging children and young people in planning and consultations. Crammed with activities to make participation fun.
Telling It Like It Is
An introduction to peer education and training.
Useful link
More information and ideas on how to engage parents and families can be found on the Engaging parents and family page.
