We are Young People led
At the Council for Disabled Children we are led by children and young people through our participation and co-production work. We call involving children and young people participation.
Participation and co-production informs the way that we work and is an intrinsic part of everything we do.
Our vision is that all organisations, agencies and services that affect children and young people will have structures and systems in place to respond to their ideas and priorities, and to work with them to bring about positive change.
We equally believe CYP have a right to be involved and be heard and go beyond the laws and legislation.
We believe that by supporting and training professionals in their participation practice and involving children and young people at key stages in our work, we can increase opportunities for participation and make our vision a reality.
Why do we do this?
Disabled children and young people have the same rights as non-disabled children and young people to participate in decisions and issues that affect them.
The importance of the participation of disabled children and young people is reflected in both the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and more recently in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Recent years have seen the introduction of significant policy and practice levers and duties that support disabled children and young people’s participation. Local authorities have expectations on them to support and involve children and young people to participate in decision-making. This includes decisions about their own support and care as well as local provision.
To find out how we involve children and young people at CDC please visit our projects and programmes page here.