Membership Scheme
After the publication of the first Investing In Children Children's Services Plan in 1998, we were challenged by young people to develop opportunities at a local level. The question posed was: "can you help me change things where I live my life" Our response was the creation of the Membership Scheme.
The Investing In Children Membership Scheme recognises and celebrates examples of imaginative and inclusive practice. Investing In Children members are those services that can demonstrate a commitment to dialogue with young people that leads to change. For many services the involvement of children and young people in decision-making is well established. For others it will mean changes to the way things are done.
Dialogue
Dialogue is an interactive, ongoing process, not a one off event. A distinction needs to be made between 'consultation' where powerful people consult the powerless, and 'dialogue' where young people are seen as partners with a valid contribution to make to the design and delivery of services. To achieve Investing In Children status, services will also have to demonstrate that this is an inclusive process and that some young people are not prevented from making a contribution.
Change
Dialogue should not be seen as an end in itself, dialogue must lead to change. Having invited young people to comment on how a service is provided we need to make sure young people are then able to influence it's development. Investing In Children services are those that have demonstrated that out of dialogue have come improvements.
Providing Support
The level of support required by each service applying for membership will vary. It is expected that in most cases services will need little support, for some Investing In Children will help develop an action plan for change.
Achieving and maintaining Investing In Children status
The decision to award the Investing In Children certificate will be based on the views and opinions of young people who use the service. The award is the start of a continued commitment to dialogue and change, and is evaluated on an annual basis.
Evaluation Reports
We have now added evaluation reports
for
County Durham Membership sites.
You can also see reports from
Development Agency
Membership sites and
Newcastle
Membership sites. New reports will be added periodically - watch this space. |
