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Having your say, being heard and being involved in change
What do we mean by participation?
Participation is the active involvement of people in decisions about matters that directly affect them. Participation is different to consultation. Consultation is generally where individuals or a group is asked for an opinion on something. Participation is a process whereby individuals or a group can influence a decision and bring about change. For example, if Kent County Council is looking to design a service aimed at young people, it is right and beneficial to all parties that we involve young people in that decision. It is also important to involve people from the beginning of a piece of work, not as an “add-on” at the end. Meaningful participation is asking what works, what doesn’t work and what could be done better and involving the relevant community in the design, delivery and evaluation of a particular project.
There are benefits to all parties involved in real meaningful participation and these include:
- Better services by listening and responding to customers
- Promoting citizenship and social inclusion
- Personal development from learning from one another
Experience from within Kent recognises how children and young people can develop in confidence and self esteem when their views are listened to and valued. By involving adults and children in decisions, participants will feel a greater sense of ownership and motivation to be involved whilst developing skills through participating, for example, decision making, communication skills and working in groups.
To ensure that our services, publications, leaflets and work meet the needs of our community, we must involve them early, have continuous communication and engagement and keep participants up to date with what happens next.
We have developed a Participation Framework which outlines the standards and practice for the Kent Children’s Trust. You can also find out more about the consultations taking place within Kent County Council by viewing the public consultation database.
Upcoming Events
Participation & Equality Champions Networks Sessions
Event Description
Who Should Attend?
Speakers
Joy Ackroyd - Kent Children's Trust Partnership Manager
Hannah Parathian - Participation Co-ordinator, Kent Children's Fund Network
Keith Wyncoll - Project Manager, Aiming High for Disabled Children
Where and When
Wednesday 29th June - The Olympic, Beechenlea Lane, Swanley, Kent BR8 8DR
Wednesday 6th July - The Phoenix Centre, Jubilee Road, Sandwich, Kent CT13 0QP
Thursday 14th July - Kent Children's Fund Network training room, KCFN Unit 3, Eden Business Centre, South Stour Avenue, Ashford, Kent TN23 7RS