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The maxim that "children should be seen and not heard" reflects long-standing views about children and young people - views that are increasingly challenged by the children's rights and representation movement. That is, there is increasing recognition of the importance of giving children and young people a voice - something that is now becoming well established as a basic principle of good practice in social work with children, young people and their families.¹ Of course, in some respects this is not a new idea, but certainly it is one that is beginning to be taken much more seriously than before.

This research study² not only supports that movement but also takes it a step further - by seeking to involve young people in decision-making about not only their own care and planning at a micro level, but also local authority issues at a macro level. The research, undertaken by the Institute for Public Policy Research, comprised: 

• Six focus groups with young people across different age groups.
• A questionnaire sent to all local authorities in England and Wales (with a 55 per cent response rate).
• A case study using semi-structured interviews in six local authorities.

These were supplemented by a literature review and a review of qualitative research.

There were various findings from the study, including a genuine enthusiasm on the part of young people to be involved in decision-making about such matters as crime, education, the environment and housing. There was also a recognition by eight out of 10 councils of the importance of raising young people's awareness of local government; and an acknowledgement by interviewees that public involvement can be empowering, particularly for traditionally excluded young people. There was clearly much to support the value of involving young people.

One important conclusion drawn from the research is the significant role of four stages in involving young people in such decision-making processes, namely:

• Creating the right environment: the right structures, systems and resources need to be in place.
• Planning: for example, choosing the right issues and right methods to deal with them.
• Doing: motivating young people, valuing their involvement and making the benefits clear.
• Follow-up: this includes evaluating the impact on services and identifying the lessons that can be learned from the process.

While the term "ageism" is generally applied to discrimination against older people, we should not forget that young people can also be marginalised and excluded because of stereotypical assumptions that fail to recognise their strengths and the positive contribution they can make. This research therefore has an important part to play in emphasising the message that we should not write off young people because of such assumptions or their ability to think clearly and carefully about important decisions.

Of course, this does not mean that we should simply treat young people as if they were "fully-fledged" adults, as that too could be problematic. However, what should be clear is that the time, energy and effort required for involving young people in decision-making can be a worthwhile investment in future generations, encouraging more active citizenship and fuller participation in what public life has to offer.

Neil Thompson is director, Avenue Consulting Ltd (www.avenueconsulting.co.uk ) and visiting professor at the University of Liverpool.

¹ Neil Thompson, Building the Future: Social Work with Children, Young People and their Families, Russell House Publishing, 2002.

² Vicki Combe, Up For It: Getting Young People Involved in Local Government, National Youth Agency, £12.95.