The views of children and young people is at the heart of our practice in Clackmannanshire Council. We have an established framework that regularly provides opportunities for children and young people to be involved and influence decision making within the Authority. Our framework mirrors the principles of the UNCRC and empowers youth voice through the use of the Youth Charter.

Supported by The Children’s Parliament children and young people from our primary and secondary establishments meet with Council representatives to share their views on priorities that matter to them and feed into discussion on Authority priorities. Participants co-create the agenda and a Google Classroom has been set up to share feedback to individual establishments youth voice structures.

This term we have extended participation to young people from St. Modan’s, Stirling who live in the catchment and targeted meetings to invite external partners to engage with discussions e.g., Planet Youth, Rotary Club and Women’s Aid.  There are also plans to widen participation to ELC and ASN children and young people. It is important the views of all are included in discussions and decisions.

Youth Voice is now embedded in the Authority with children and young people being consulted on policy and budgeting decisions, and scoping papers for new projects.