MERTON COUNCIL
Merton’s Commitment to
Youth Voice
Keith Shipman
Head of Education and Inclusion
MERTON COUNCIL
Our vision
To ensure that all young people in Merton
have a voice in collective and individual
decision making, and that this voice is heard
understood and captured meaningfully.
MERTON COUNCIL
The Aims
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Increase platforms for young people’s collective voice to be heard.
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Ensure proactive promotion of and engagement of SEND young people and
other underrepresented (not vulnerable) groups in both individual and
collective engagement.
•
Improve evaluation, quality assurance and auditing of decision making
processes
•
Improve tools and ensure robust processes for young people to be heard and
accurately informed in individual decision making processes.
•
Improve feedback platforms, information collection and sharing knowledge.
MERTON COUNCIL
The Opportunities
Creative,
reflective and
innovative
service
delivery
Young people
‘buy in’ to the
vision/Ethos
of the
organisation
Equal and
active
contributors
of their
communities
Moral
Obligation
Youth
Voice
We are
relevant to
our clients
Personal
social and
emotional
growth for the
young person
Democratic
Learning and
Civic
Engagement
Services that
better meet
needs
Efficiency
MERTON COUNCIL
Current Practice
MERTON COUNCIL
Partnerships across the Childrens Trust
Safer
Merton
Young
Advisors
CAMHS
Debate Training and
Competition
Healthwatch
Merton
HEALTHFEST
Schools
Childrens
and Youth
Parliaments
Public health and
CCG
Health Inspectors
Youth
Services
Area
Forums
MERTON COUNCIL
Reflections and Current Position
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Participation Promise needs to be refreshed.
How are we using our residents survey feedback?
More platforms for young people are needed.
We need to develop consistency.
More opportunities for open and innovative dialogue
Increase opportunities for those who are
underrepresented particularly SEND young people.
• How have we measured the added value?
• More needs to be done to support the development of
participation including enhancing workforce skills.
MERTON COUNCIL
The Challenges
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Are we feedback ready?
Building trust
Managing the adults expectations?
Doing it meaningfully/ consistency
How do we facilitate?
How can we work together?
Planning in advance
MERTON COUNCIL
Where next?
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What do you want to achieve within your organisation?
Develop training to support partners to develop and deliver meaningful
participation work.
Re-establish borough wide platforms to be accessible and reflective of the
diversity within Merton.
Support colleagues and organisations review and develop their participation
work. Where is your organisation?
Advocate for young people until such time both young people and adults are
ready to meet. How does this work for your organisation currently?
Increase the platforms for those who are under represented to engage
meaningfully. How will your organisation support access to exsisiting
platforms?
To develop a self assessment process and participation network so we can
share good practice and collaboratively enhance the quality of service user
engagement.
MERTON COUNCIL
How can you get on board?
• Develop a shared understanding within our teams/ partnerships.
• Establish your current position
• Identify what you want to achieve
• Agree an Action Plan
• Review your progress
MERTON COUNCIL
Thank You!
Any Questions?
Contact us:
020 8545 3283
[email protected]