Critically discuss some of the ways in which a range of childrens Essay

Critically discuss some of the ways in which a range of childrens services can be shaped by the participation of children. What is the role of the practitioner in enabling participation - Essay Example Indeed, listen to young people and children can play a very important role in the planning, commissioning, and delivery of children services. One way of improving various children’s services by participation of children is, according to Foley & Leverett (2008), listening to children’s views and considering them as part of decision-making. Apparently, children are considered to have ideas and views that are unique to their experience; this means that their contribution to decision-making is critical and legitimate. For instance, in order to improve children’s educational standards and opportunities, it would be prudent to listen to their ideas and views with regards to which teaching methods they think would best work for them, what factors result in truancy and school dropouts, how to better promote inclusion of girls, how to improve attendance rates, whether or not the curriculum is relevant, and how to better ensure effective discipline and good behaviour. Further, children can also participate in improve their services through advocacy, peer representation, evaluation of services that are meant for them, use of media and publicity, managing their own institutions, for instance, schools, and analysis and development of policy (Wright et al. 2006). For this participation to be successful and useful, it is important that their involvement is directly linked to their own experience-first hand. It is the role and duty of practitioners to enable the participation of children, by directly working with them through listening and responding to their voices. Further, it is also the role of practitioners to provide favourable environments where all young children can feel safe, powerful and confident; this will ensure that the children have the space and time to express their ideas and opinion in the form that best suits them. In fact, it is