Article 12 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child respects the views of the child.

Every child has the right to express their views, feelings and wishes in all matters affecting them, and to have their views considered and taken seriously. 

Requires schools to have regard to guidance on consulting with pupils about decisions that affect them.

The Children and Families Act focuses on putting children and young people at the heart of planning and decision making through co-production and person-centred practice. 

The importance of the child and his or her parent, or the young person, participating as fully as possible in decisions relating to help[ing] him or her achieve the best possible educational and other outcomes.

Emphasizes children's right to be heard and participate in decisions affecting them, requiring professionals to actively listen to and consider their views, wishes, and feelings. It mentions the right to be heard, to be included in decision making and to have support to express themselves, if needed.

We asked a young person with SEND:

"Why is it important to listen to young people?” 

This was their response:

“It is important to listen to young people because we don't want to be left out of conversation about our care or support, no decision about us without us because we are the ones who have to live with the consequences of your decisions and if your decisions were not made in our best interest then that can have a detrimental impact on our lives!”

Below are quotes that young people have said. They were asked:

 "What do you need to be able to share your voice?"

• “Don't treat me like I am stupid' - person centred approach e.g. accessible language; use of symbols; age-appropriate language”
• “A good relationship with the person/ people I am talking to”
• “Genuinely listening to what I have said, not what you think I said”
• “To feel believed and like the people listening want to understand”
• “Feedback to me where my information has been used”
• “Ask the young person about themselves and their experiences”

Here are some more top tips when engaging children and young people:

• listen to their views and respect them 
• get creative at meetings e.g. use toys and different methods to communicate
• be open minded, really listen, be empathetic and be aspirational
• use language they can understand
• give them time to think and understand 
• involve them throughout the process
• provide the support and training they need to be part of the process
• ask them how they would like to be involved and communicated with 
• ask them where they would feel most comfortable to share their views