Children and Young People are the ‘magic’ in our vision, our development and our future success. They are the essence that will make our project come alive. We are committed to full involvement at every stage of our project. This page outlines the rationale and process for meaningful and successful participation of children and young people at the Imagination Centre. It draws on knowledge and experience from a range of organisations but fundamentally it is about our wish to work with children to inspire, enthuse and broaden horizons. WHAT IS PARTICIPATION AND CONSULTATION? Participation is about taking part in activities and being involved in decisions that directly affect our lives. But participation is not a ‘token’ gesture. To be successful it has to be embedded through all developmental and organisational structures. We will use the model of the ‘Ladder of Participation’ (as described in Hear by Right Standards) with eight levels of participation. The shared values for the active involvement of children and young people are guided through, not only a consultation process, but within a framework of participation activities which will ensure full, meaningful involvement. This means we will not ’talk down’ to children but will create inclusive dialogue and communication processes.  In ‘Every Child Matters, Change for Children programme’ the aims ensure that policies and services are designed around the needs of children and young people. “Engaging with children and young people in this way gives them an opportunity to make a positive contribution in their communities.” Children naturally make decisions and choices and will find ways to turn dreams into realities; it is the adults who perceive the hurdles and pitfalls. Together, children and adults will work together to create the Imagination Centre. WHY IS IT IMPORTANT? The UN Convention of Children’s Rights recognises that all children have the right to be heard and have a voice in decisions. We are committed to supporting Article 12 of the United Convention of the Rights of the Child, 1989 “They should be given the opportunity to be treated as equal citizens and express their views freely.” We recognise that children are equal citizens in an adult dominated world and that by working in harmony, together we can build on joint experiences and aspirations. The Imagination Centre will be well placed to deliver a thriving and unique experience by full involvement of children and young people. Because: Our organisation will have better targeted services which will save money, create new ideas and have happy customers. Our young people will have better services, save money and will follow their own ideas. Our community will have improved facilities, engaged community minded young people and be at the heart of a fresher democracy. “There is evidence that child/youth participation can lead to improved service development, increases children and young people’s citizenship and social inclusion and their wider personal development.” (Kirby, Lanyon, Cronin and Sinclair, 2004) Through the development of our participation programme we will: Enable children and young people to participate in consultation activities within their local community and further afield. Give children and young people chances to make a difference and have a voice. Ensure that services are more responsive to the needs of children and young people. Help to develop understanding of rights and responsibilities as active citizens. Help to develop confidence and self esteem by giving their opinions and having their views valued. HOW WILL WE KNOW WHEN IT WORKS? Children’s involvement in the Imagination Centre will be working: When all our activities, mechanisms and structures are embedded with the principles of meaningful involvement of children. When children and young people have shared control over the planning, development and successful outcomes of the project. When adults no longer feel threatened by sharing control with children and young people. When we have stopped ‘adding it in’. When children, young people and adults have fun together. The process for participation will follow a programme of activities, based on ‘Hear By Right Standards’ and using participatory activities for evaluation using, ‘ The Evaluator’s Cookbook’. This process will begin at the start of our engagement with children and young people in our local community and in communities further afield. They will shape this process. At the Imagination Centre we will build on the excellent work already documented in ‘Centres for Curiosity and Imagination’, by John Pearce. We will strive to construct a model centre which will inspire, build on children’s natural creativity and imagination to add ‘magic’ to their lives and hopes for their futures. We will give them a magically, brilliant journey of discovery with plenty of gasps of astonishment. We hope they will leave us with a smile on their faces. And to quote… Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by  JK Rowling... Harry’s life is suddenly about to change when Hagrid arrives and growls at the Dursley that Harry knows nothing! Harry defends himself, “I know some things, I can, you know, do maths and stuff.” But Hagrid simply waves his wand and said, “About our world, I mean, your world.” Maybe we can wave some magic and invite children on an adventure with us. How do we make it work? Ways to involve children and young people The vision team are committed to enabling successful participation and involvement of children and young people at every stage of the development process. We know that this will be a key determinant in the success of the project and we will work together using a range of techniques, methods and processes which can be age group specific, fun, worthwhile and shape the project’s future. From the beginning we have worked with students from St Felix Middle school and the school council. This will move on through the cycle of project creation to a full partnership with children and young people representing groups from within the region and beyond. We will make special efforts to work with groups who have ‘quieter voice’ and are hard to reach. This will be achieved by working with Children’s Service agencies. The Hear By Right standards suggest the following questions for adults to think about at the beginning of the process. Ways of Involvement The following methods, as recommended by Hear by Right are not mutually exclusive but may act as building blocks for each other. The order as presented is suggested only and not a conclusive way forward. 1. Consultation. Focussing on a particular issue, such as children and young people’s views on their main concerns and priorities, or their ideas and vision for the centre. Consultations can happen through a mixture of meetings, events, email or via the web. 2. Large scale event Includes a wider range of children and young people, can be a real ‘trail blazer’ event to get motivated. Needs to be planned by young people and supported by adults.  A chance to find new representatives to form working groups. 3. Form reference groups and network of groups Groups of children and young people (perhaps including adults) advise and inform those planning delivering pieces of work or who manage a team or organisation.        4. Website creation Children and young people help to design and build a website to pose questions for debate and discussion between groups. 5. Practice Initiatives  To create a partnership between youth groups and adults to undertake collaborative pieces of work such as, reviewing the focus of the activities for St Felix Imagination Centre or the design and structure of the building. 6. Parallel structures A youth body will be established to run alongside the adult led decision making processes to provide advice, or act as a sounding board.    7. Committee Places Children and young people are elected or selected to be part of committees. Specific places to be reserved for them. Young people could be asked to become trustees of the organisation. Safe and Sound Important aspects to consider ensuring that the practice is of highest regard for the safety and protection of children and young people include:- Consent Ensure that all relevant permission is received from children and young people and also from those who care and have responsibility for them. This is especially important for any publicised material. Protection Carry out risk assessments at all stages of involvement processes, including CRB checks for all workers with access to children. Access Access for all children and young people is not just about the building but includes time, place and style of meetings, language, and access to IT equipment. We will be proactive in reaching out to people and not making assumptions that they will find us.