Membership Scheme
After the publication of the first Investing In Children Children's Services Plan in 1998, Investing in Children were asked by young people to develop opportunities at a local level. The challenge was set: "I am not interested in your grand plans and strategies can you help me change my life where I live." Investing in Children's 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.
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.
In a nutshell - You can achieve membership if you meet the following criteria:
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You can demonstrate that you have dialogue with children & young people
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You can show that changes have happened as a result
- Children & young people who use the service you provide agree that this is the case
Evaluation Reports
We have now added evaluation reports for County Durham Membership sites. You can also see reports from Development Agency Membership sites. New reports will be added periodically to the evaluations page - watch this space.
Contact Us:
If you are intereseted in acheiving Investing in Children membership all you need to do is contact Investing in Children. You will have an informal discussion with the Membership Co-ordinator who will take your details. Investing in Children have work allocation meetings every month and once your site is allocated to an Investing in Children worker they will be in touch. At this point you can discuss with the IiC worker if you need further support to collect evidence or if you feel you have enough evidence to present. You will then agree the way forward together.
We use an evidence sheet to help services/organisations to think about changes that have been made with children and young people, download it and get started.
For further information please contact:-
Helen Mulhearn (Membership Co-ordinator)
Tel: 03000 261500
email: helen.mulhearn@durham.gov.uk
 2012 Annual Membership Report | downloads: 549 | type: pdf | size: 1 MB |
| Membership Information | |
 Evidence Sheet | downloads: 615 | type: doc | size: 61 kB |
| Membership Leaflet | downloads: 593 | type: pdf | size: 767 kB |
Download our Membership Information Leaflet to find out more. |
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| Membership Reports | |
| 2011 Membership Scheme Annual Report | downloads: 555 | type: pdf | size: 2 MB |
