We are delighted to launch our Children’s Participation and Rights Strategy. Co-designed by young people with lived experience of the hearings system, the strategy reinforces our commitment to ensuring the views of infants, children and young people remain at the centre of every hearing.

Delivering better hearings

Young people who co-designed this strategy created the four key principles we will follow:

• Respect – we will promote our vision and values by actively listening and valuing the perspectives of those with lived experience
• Inclusion – we will make sure our approach to participation stays fluid and in the best interest of those with lived experience
• Empowerment – we will provide a platform for those with lived experience to create and influence lasting change
• Accountability – we must be bold and ambitious and show how we will fulfil our commitments to those with lived experience

Respecting children’s rights

This strategy updates our previous Children’s Rights and Inclusion Strategy, published in 2020, building on our six ‘pillars of inclusion’ focusing on views, choice, relationships, communication, action and space. This strategy reinforces how engaging with those with lived experience will ensure that CHS maximises our commitment of being ‘well informed and influential’ across the children’s sector.

'CHS is excited to launch our Participation and Children’s Rights Strategy, which has been co-designed with young people. This strategy will ensure respect, inclusion, empowerment and accountability in a redesigned Children’s Hearings System.'
– Angela Phillips, Participation Coordinator

Thanks to young people

Taking part in the co-design of this strategy were members of the CHS Participation Group, Our Hearings Our Voice, the Good Shepherd Centre and the Today Not Tomorrow Champs Board. CHS thanks all the young people participating in this co-design and all who have given their time and expertise to improve hearings.